Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG — The Virginia Tech men's basketball team continues to add depth to its frontcourt with the addition of Rice transfer, Mylyjael Poteat, as announced by head coach Mike Young on Wednesday afternoon.
A 6-foot-9, 260-pound forward with three years of eligibility remaining, Poteat comes to Blacksburg after competing for two seasons with the Owls.
The Reidsville, North Carolina native averaged 7.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game last season at Rice. He shot 62.0% from the floor, which was the seventh-highest mark in school history.
Poteat scored double figures 14 times in 2021-22 and led the Owls in scoring and rebounding five times. He chose the Hokies over Pitt and UMass. The two-time Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll designee will pursue a degree in sociology.
Mylyjael Poteat
6-9 | 260 lbs. | Forward
Reidsville, N.C.
Rice
The Burlington School
Rice: Tallied 311 career points and 172 career rebounds … Averaged 6.8 points and 3.7 rebounds per game for his career as an Owl … Recorded a pair of double-doubles in 2021-22 … Connected on 70.2% (87-124) of his attempts from the floor in two seasons at Rice … One of five players to play all 33 games for the Owls in 2021-22 … His 62.0 field-goal percentage was the seventh-highest in a season in program history in 2021-22 … Reached double-figure scoring 14 times in 2021-22, leading the Owls in scoring and rebounding five times.
High School: Led The Burlington School to a 25-7 record and a Class 1-A state runner-up finish … Averaged a double-double with 16.7 points per game and 10 rebounds per game … Also added three assists per game … Named the Times-News All-Region Player of the Year … NCISAA All-State … Mid-Carolina Conference Player of the Year … As a junior, led the Spartans to a 24-7 record, including a perfect 10-0 record in the Mid-Carolina Conference … Named All-Mid Carolina Conference and All-Region … Named to the John Wall All-Bracket Team.
Personal: Mylyjael Poteat … Born in Burlington, N.C. … Son of Michael and Tia Poteat … Has an older brother, Myjel … Plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in sociology … Career objective is to play in the NBA.
Coach Giltner on Poteat: Mylyjael will be a great addition to the Hokies. His size, IQ and skill level for a forward are what really drew us to him. Style of play wise, he will fit perfectly. He has been exceptionally well-coached at Rice and The Burlington School, so the transition to Virginia Tech will be seamless. We are excited about his competitive spirit and willingness to work! Growing up in ACC country, this has been a dream of his and we are excited that Mylyjael's parents will be able to see him play on this stage. Hokie fans should be excited for Mylyjael's future.