Hokie ClubCHARLOTTE – Rising juniors Tyler Johnson and Ben Hammond were named to the ACC’s 2025-26 All-Academic Team the league office announced Tuesday afternoon. Both men have recently announced their intentions to return to the Hokies in 2026-27, forming a core group of returners that includes forward Amani Hansberry.
Hammond stepped up his play in his second season in Blacksburg, starting in 18 of 32 games and leading the Hokies in scoring in ACC play at 14.9 ppg. The sophomore guard saw his numbers increase in 2026 in all categories as he led the team in minutes played, 3-point field goal percentage and was amongst the league leaders in free throw shooting (fourth at 86.5%), assist to turnover ratio (tenth at 2.2) and steals (second at 2.0). He tied a program record with his six steals in an ACC game which he did in Tech’s win at Syracuse.
Hammond willed the Hokies to an upset victory over No. 21 Virginia on New Year’s Eve in a three-overtime thriller. The point guard scored a career-high 30 points, including 20 after regulation to help Tech upset its rival. Hammond finished 16-18 from the free throw line, setting career totals in that category in addition to his 42 minutes played off the bench. With his 30-point performance, he became the first Hokie to score 30 against the Cavaliers since Erick Green in 2013.
The Hokies’ most accurate 3-point shooter this past season (43.1%), Hammond had seven games with three or more triples.
He was named to CSC’s Academic All-District Team in March.
Johnson started 13 times in 17 appearances for the Hokies in 2025-26, averaging 26.1 minutes per game. The 6-foot-5 guard was sidelined for the first 15 games of the conference season with a lower body injury.
On the court, Johnson averaged career highs on the offensive end of the floor with 8.0 points, 53% shooting from the field and 41.5% from beyond the arc. Additionally, he contributed 4.5 rebounds per contest.
At the Battle 4 Atlantis, he tied two career highs by recording 16 points vs. VCU (Nov. 28) and 12 rebounds vs. Colorado State (Nov. 26). Johnson scored in double figures six times during his sophomore season.
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