Hokie Spotlight: Mylyjael Poteat

BLACKSBURG – Standing at 6-foot-9 and weighing 260 pounds, forward Mylyjael Poteat has been a force on both sides of the ball for head coach Mike Young and the Virginia Tech men’s basketball team. The graduate student, who brings a combination of raw strength and high basketball intelligence to each contest, has found a groove as the Hokies continue to play in the new year. 

Poteat started his basketball career by logging minutes at The Burlington School in Burlington, North Carolina. In his senior year with the Spartans, the forward would average a double-double, posting 16.7 points and 10 rebounds per game in a season that saw Poteat take the team to a Class 1A state runner-up finish. For his work at Burlington, Poteat earned the Times-News All-Region Player of the Year and Mid-Carolina Conference Player of the Year, including recognition as an NCISAA All-State selection. Directly after his time in Burlington, Poteat would log two years at Rice, tallying 311 career points and 172 rebounds with the Owls. 

Since coming to Tech in 2022, Poteat has built upon the foundation established at both Burlington and Rice. Through 15 games this season, the fifth-year forward is averaging 10.9 points and 4.1 rebounds, while shooting 52.3% from the field. In the most recent home game against Miami, Poteat’s and-1 basket with 2.7 seconds left in the second half would be the difference, as the following free throw would give Poteat a career-high 25 points and the Hokies a thrilling 86-85 win over the Hurricanes. 

MyMy had this game circled on his calendar 😏 pic.twitter.com/B1FnIPR6Pk

— Virginia Tech Men's Basketball (@HokiesMBB) January 5, 2025

At ACC Tip-Off in October, Poteat placed an emphasis on focusing his preseason training around conditioning. Working with Assistant Athletic Director of Strength and Conditioning David Jackson, Poteat’s summer work has paid major dividends for the Hokies. The Reidsville, North Carolina native is one of three players to start in every matchup this season, opening the campaign by playing 20-plus minutes in eight-straight contests. Since the streak, Poteat has played over half of each contest in 10 of 15 matchups, logging season highs in minutes against Vanderbilt on Dec. 4 and Miami on Jan. 4 (30).  

“A lot of emphasis, for me personally, was conditioning,” Poteat said in October. “Getting in shape to play more minutes, [leaning] out a little bit...that along with expanding [my] game, scoring the ball in some different ways...all of that will come together to hopefully make me a little more effective on the court.” 

Poteat’s third year at Tech has seen plenty of change. The men’s basketball team welcomed nine new players to their roster this past summer, adding the likes of Duke transfer Jaden Schutt, VCU transfer Tobi Lawal and freshmen starters Ben Hammond and Tyler Johnson. Against Miami on Jan. 4, Poteat was the only starter not in their first year as a Hokie. Yet, Poteat’s veteran presence has contributed greatly to the culture of the team. 

“He [Poteat] is doing a great job in the leadership category,” Mike Young said at the 2024-25 media day press conference. “That is a bit of a new role for him, and he has done quite well.”  

After their second of two consecutive West Coast matchups concludes on Jan. 11 against California, Tech men’s basketball will return to Blacksburg on Jan. 15 for the White Effect game against conference foe and defending ACC champion NC State at 7 p.m. ET. Fans who are looking to see Poteat and the Hokies live at Carilion Clinic Court at Cassell Coliseum should be sure to secure their tickets for what promises to be an exciting matchup!