Hokie ClubBLACKSBURG – Virginia Tech head men’s basketball coach Mike Young announced Monday three key contributors—Ben Hammond, Tyler Johnson and Jaden Schutt—will return to the Hokies for the 2025-26 season.
As Young and his staff continue to recruit the transfer portal, the roster for next season currently features the three returners, one transfer in Amani Hansberry, and two incoming freshmen–Christian Gurdak and Sin'Cere Jones. Tobi Lawal announced earlier today his intent to go through the 2025 NBA Draft process while maintaining his final year of college eligibility to return to Tech.
Hammond will return for his sophomore season in Blacksburg. As a freshman, Hammond started in 17 games, leading the team in steals (35) and was second on the team in assists (62). He scored in double figures five times, including twice being Tech's top scorer.
The Fairfax, Va., native averaged 5.6 points and 2.1 assists per game. He posted a career-high 21 points, seven assists, seven rebounds and three steals in the Hokies' 101-95 overtime victory against Syracuse. Hammond joined Dell Curry as the only other Hokie to record that stat line in program history.
Hammond's fellow classmate, Johnson will also be returning to the Hokies for his sophomore season after starting in 28 games as a freshman. He had five double-digit scoring games and one double-double. The Orlando, Fla., native averaged 6.7 points and 4.8 rebounds on 45.2% shooting.
He had a career-high 16 points on 5 for 7 shooting against USC Upstate. Johnson's double-double came at Cal where he delivered 11 points and 12 rebounds–becoming the first Tech true freshman to produce a double-double since 2015 (Justin Bibbs).
Schutt will be returning for his second season in Blacksburg. He started in 26 games as a redshirt-sophomore, leading the Hokies in minutes played (839) and 3-pointers made (57). Schutt averaged 7.7 points and 2.8 rebounds per game last season.
He scored double figures 12 times and knocked down at least three 3-pointers in 11 games. The Yorkville, Ill., native recorded a career-high 20 points in Tech's 101-95 overtime victory vs. Syracuse. Schutt led the Hokies in scoring five times.