Hokies Position Preview: Center

BLACKSBURG – Mylyjael Poteat comes into the season as the longest tenured Hokie and Mike Young will use him in a bigger role this season. 
 
“This offseason, Mylyjael has lost 20-25 pounds and has been moving better than he has ever moved,” Young pointed out. 
 
Being one of the longest-tenured Hokies, Poteat has been thrown into a new role this season by being the leader of this young Tech team. 
 
“He (Poteat) has been doing a great job in the leadership category,” Young said. 
 
Complementing Poteat down low is Patrick Wessler, who many Tech fans are eager to see have a breakout season for the Hokies. The Matthews, N.C., native is Tech’s tallest player at 7 feet, has soft touch around the rim and can step out and knock down the 3-pointer. 

“Patrick Wessler is going to play for this team and help this team win,” Young noted. 
 
The newcomer in the room is Ryan Jones Jr. The true freshman out of Gainesville, Fla., was a consensus four-star recruit. Jones Jr. brings a high motor on the glass and can space the floor. 
 
With Poteat, Wessler, and Jones Jr. each bringing a unique and versatile skillset, the Hokies will have the flexibility to adapt their style of play based on who is on the court. As we have reached the last weekend without college basketball for a while, we continue our Hokies Position Previews with a closer look at the Tech centers.

CENTERS  

Returning: Mylyjael Poteat (6-9, 260, Grad Student/Third season), Patrick Wessler (7-0, 250, r-So./Third season)

Hello: Ryan Jones Jr. (6-8, 240, Fr.) 
 
Goodbye: Lynn Kidd (transfer/Miami)

OVERVIEW 
 
Poteat: Poteat is one of five returning players on the Hokies’ roster and the only one who averaged over 10 minutes per game last season. Known for his physicality, Poteat brings a strong, bruising presence to the court. With an anticipated increase in playing time, Poteat had a productive offseason which included shedding 25 pounds to improve his conditioning and expanding his offensive skillset.

The Reidsville, N.C., native played in all 34 games last season for the Hokies. Poteat averaged 6.4 points, 3.5 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game off the bench as a senior. Poteat reached double-figure scoring six times last season for the Hokies, including a career-high-tying 18 against Georgia Tech on Jan. 27.

Wessler: Another player who has spent the past three seasons in Blacksburg, Wessler is a redshirt sophomore eager to have a breakthrough season. In 2023-24, Wessler continued to learn Young’s system while backing up Kidd and Poteat. At his size, Wessler should make a huge impact on the glass and interior defense for the Hokies. 
 
A native of Matthews, N.C., Wessler appeared in 13 games for the Hokies last season. In 52 minutes of play, he contributed 12 points, 19 rebounds and four blocks. Wessler shot at least 50% from the floor in four games last season for Tech.

Jones Jr.: A true freshman, Jones Jr. continues to make strides in his understanding of Tech’s system in addition to the natural adjustment to the college level. He’s shown scoring ability out to the 3-point line and a high motor on the offensive glass. Jones Jr., like Poteat, has a solid frame to impose physicality down on the block.

Jones Jr. played his high school ball at The Rock School in Florida. Ranked as a consensus four-star, Jones Jr. is a decorated player who won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2021 FIBA Americas U16 Championship.

If season started today: Poteat is the projected starter at the center position, following an impressive offseason of development that expanded both his skills and physical conditioning. His powerful presence will bolster the Hokies' rebounding and anchor their interior defense. With his strength as a back-to-the-basket big, Poteat’s game expansion adds versatility, enhancing the Hokies' floor spacing this season. 
 
Speculation: With the group of Poteat, Wessler and Jones Jr., along with help from the forwards, Tech should be drastically improved in the rebounding department. The Hokies ranked 191st out of 362 Division I programs last season in rebounding margin, per Ken Pomeroy.

Quote of Note: “This is going to be a very, very good rebounding team.” — Mike Young, Virginia Tech men’s basketball head coach 

POSITION PREVIEW SERIES
Point Guard (Oct. 4)
Guard (Oct. 18)
Forward (Oct. 25)