Two more Virginia Tech men’s basketball players are in the transfer portal.
Backup center Mylyjael Poteat and reserve forward/guard Tyler Nickel have entered the portal, according to the university Thursday.
They became the fifth and sixth Tech men’s basketball players to enter the portal this week, including starting center Lynn Kidd, starting guards Sean Pedulla and MJ Collins and backup forward John Camden.
ACC member Miami announced Thursday that Kidd, who entered the transfer portal Tuesday, has signed with the Hurricanes.
Pedulla had tweeted Wednesday that he would be entering the portal “while strongly considering a return to Virginia Tech for my last year.” If Pedulla does leave, Tech coach Mike Young will have to replace the top seven scorers from this year’s team, which made the NIT for the second straight season.
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The only scholarship players currently set for next season’s team are returning players Brandon Rechsteiner, Jaydon Young and Patrick Wessler and signees Ryan Jones Jr. and Tyler Johnson.
If Pedulla winds up leaving, Tech will have to replace this year’s entire starting lineup. Starting guard Hunter Cattoor and starting forward Robbie Beran were each in his fifth and final year of eligibility.
Kidd averaged 13.2 points and a team-high 6.5 rebounds in just 23.2 minutes as a senior this year. The Florida native still has the extra year of eligibility that the NCAA gave all 2020-21 winter-sports athletes because of the coronavirus pandemic.
He finished third in the voting this year for the ACC’s most improved player award. He averaged just 5.0 points and 3.4 rebounds last year.
“We are extremely happy to have Lynn join us because he is an incredibly gifted offensive scorer around the basket and who I considered the most improved player in the ACC this past season,” Hurricanes coach Jim Larranaga said in a Miami statement. “He has put in the work to take his game to the next level. His work ethic is unmatched and he will bring maturity and four years of ACC experience to our team.”
The 6-foot-10, 235-pound Kidd ranks fourth nationally in field-goal percentage (66.8%). He shot 84.2% from the free-throw line.
This was Kidd’s third year with the Hokies. He spent his freshman season at ACC member Clemson.
Nickel ranked fourth on Tech in scoring this year with an average of 8.8 points. He ranked second on the team with 59 3-pointers. He averaged 24.4 minutes. He started seven games.
Nickel was a sophomore this season. The Harrisonburg native spent his freshman season at North Carolina.
The 6-7, 220-pound Nickel had 24 points and five 3-pointers against Clemson this season. He tallied 18 points in an ACC tournament loss to Florida State. He tallied 15 points in wins over FSU and Notre Dame. He had 14 points and four 3-pointers at UNC. He also scored 14 points against Boise State.
The 6-9, 265-pound Poteat averaged 6.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 14.5 minutes as a Tech senior this year. He shot 64.4% from the field.
This was his second year at Tech. He transferred from Rice to Tech in 2022. He still has his extra year of eligibility.
Poteat scored 18 points in 23 minutes against Georgia Tech this season. He tallied 15 points in 21 minutes at UNC. He scored 14 points in 19 minutes at Notre Dame. He had 11 points in 11 minutes at Syracuse and tallied 11 points in 18 minutes in a win over Virginia.