The Virginia basketball team focused replenishing its roster this offseason mostly on the transfer portal, but on Saturday the Hoos dipped into the high school ranks for their latest commitment. Favour Ibe, a 2026 4-star center our of Mt. Zion Prep in Maryland, made the call for the Cavaliers after a visit earlier in the week.

Ibe became the only high school commitment so far in this class for the Hoos. He announced his decision on social media.

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After early high school interest from Maryland, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Georgia, Villanova, and others, Ibe’s final two suitors reportedly came down to Tennessee and Virginia. UVA brought in some frontcourt prospects, including Ibe, for a visit this week. By the weekend, Ibe had made the call for the Cavaliers.

The 7’1”, 235-pound center addressed a roster need on the interior. While the Hoos brought back Thijs De Ridder and Johann Grünloh, its frontcourt starters from last season, as well as Carter Lang, who played minutes at Vanderbilt earlier in this career, they did lose Ugonna Onyenso, the backup center. Onyenso had a big season with UVA and has received some second round draft buzz ahead of his invitation to the NBA Draft Combine. Onyenso’s success likely contributed to the recruiting win for the Cavaliers.

Ibe brings more depth to that center spot for the 2026-2027 season. With a 7’7” wingspan, he can help replicate the rim protection qualities that helped the defense last season. Some internet scouting reports also tout his ability to move well and run the floor, so he should fit well with UVA’s up-tempo system there. Virginia also uses its centers in the halfcourt with alley-oops, paint seals, drop-offs, and post-ups so there are a variety of ways for a center to make an impact.

Ibe, the No. 5 player in the state of Maryland per 247 Sports, joins Jurian Dixon and Christian Harmon as offseason picksups after that wing duo selected UVA from the transfer portal. The trio comes to a roster that brought back all 10 players from last season with remaining eligibility. This pushes the roster to 13 players, meaning the Hoos have flexibility with the last two roster spots. An additional point or combo guard would likely be the top target but the coaches could also focus on the best available fit.

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