Mutts declares for NBA, but may return

Virginia Tech’s basketball roster could look a lot different next season.

Starting forward Justyn Mutts has joined starting center Keve Aluma in declaring for the 2022 NBA Draft while maintaining an extra year of college eligibility. Also, starting guard Nahiem Alleyne and backup center John Ojiako have entered the transfer portal, according to reports.

Mutts made his announcement on his Instagram page Monday night. He averaged 10.1 points and a team-best 7.4 rebounds a game, helping the Hokies win the ACC Tournament.

Aluma led Virginia Tech with 15.8 points a game and added 6.5 rebounds and a 53.8 shooting percentage. He is playing in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament this week, an event where NBA scouts can get a closer look at college seniors. Alleyne was the team’s fourth-leading scorer at 9.6 points a game.

Meanwhile, Mutts, Aluma and Alleyne joined teammates Hunter Cattoor and Storm Murphy on the All-ACC Academic Team announced Tuesday. It was the third time Alleyne has made the team.

Virginia forwards Jayden Gardner and Kadin Shedrick also made the squad, while former Norfolk Academy star Mark Williams was Duke’s lone representative.

* Green Run High guard Aidan Darrell announced on Twitter that he has committed to Virginia Wesleyan. He averaged 15 points a game on his way to All-Region 5A and All-Beach District first-team honors last season.

* William & Mary forward Kurt Samuels Jr. has entered the transfer portal, according to verbalcommits.com. He becomes the seventh Tribe player to enter the portal. Samuels, a 6-5 sophomore forward from Alexandria, played a total of 6 minutes last season. Meanwhile, former Pittsburgh forward Noah Collier is transferring to William & Mary, according to verbalcommits.com. The 6-8 sophomore played only 9.6 minutes a game last season, averaging 1.5 points and 1.8 rebounds.

* Elizabeth Kitley and Aisha Sheppard were among five Virginia Tech women’s basketball players to make the ACC All-Academic Team. Georgia Amoore, Cayla King and Kayana Traylor were the others. It was the third time Kitley and Sheppard earned the honor. Virginia’s Amandine Toi also made the team.

* Former Maury High star Clarence Rupert, who helped Saint Peter’s reach the Elite Eight, announced on Twitter that he has entered the transfer portal. The 6-8 freshman averaged 4.4 points and 2.6 rebounds in 13.4 minutes a game last season.

* Former George Mason guard Xavier Johnson is transferring to Southern Illinois, according to verbalcommits.com. The junior from Germantown, Maryland, averaged 7.7 points, 4.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds a game last season.