University of Virginia head men’s basketball coach Tony Bennett has made Isaac Traudt a priority in class of 2022 recruiting. Coach Bennett has maintained weekly contact with the 6’9” rising senior forward over the course of the past several months, while assistant coach Kyle Getter has kept in consistent contact as well. Traudt reciprocated UVA’s interest by making an official visit this past weekend.

After spending a few days on Grounds, the Grand Island, Nebraska native and consensus 4-star prospect was asked by Coach Bennett for his impressions.

“I just told him I was blown away with everything,” Traudt said. “I knew the staff were great people, but I didn’t know how the facilities were so amazing. The same with the campus. I knew it was historic, but it was more than I thought. I didn’t know there would be a cool college town either.”

Traudt detailed what impressed him about Virginia basketball’s facilities.

“JPJ was amazing,” Traudt said. “I love how everything is all there. The basketball court, workout facilities, everything is there. That’s really cool in my opinion. The brand new weight room thing blew me away.”

Coach Bennett’s goal for the weekend, Traudt said, “was to give me the best feel for UVA as he can. His pitch to me is he thinks I’d have a really good chance to be special there, that it would be a good opportunity for me and I have the potential to come right in and make an impact. He thinks me and [UVA class of 2022 guard commitment] Isaac McKneely could help them get back to the Final Four.”

What did Traudt think of Coach Bennett’s pitch?

“I agree with him,” Traudt answered. “I think Virginia could potentially be a good fit both on the floor and academically, and I think I fit the culture. It’s an intriguing option for me.”

McKneely was on Grounds as well making his official visit, and both class of 2022 prospects spent time with current Cavalier players.

“I feel like I fit in great with the guys,” Traudt said. “We were all at Coach Bennett’s house Saturday night.”

Of McKneely, Traudt said the two “definitely” meshed well. “He’s got a great family too, so it was nice meeting all of them. I hope to see him again later on.”

In addition, interacting with the coaches in-person “was a lot better than the phone stuff,” Traudt said. “They are really genuine guys. I had a great time with them.”

UVA is the third school Traudt has visited since the recruiting dead period ended May 31. He started this month with an unofficial to Creighton before making an official visit to Nebraska June 4-6.

“Both were really good,” Traudt said. “I really like the staffs and facilities at both of those. Staying at home is something that is intriguing. I would be close to my family and friends and my family could go to every game.”

Official visits to Michigan State (June 18-20) and UNC (June 25-27) close out Traudt’s June visit schedule. What’s next after those trips?

“I’m definitely going to see how those two go and then I’m pretty much going to enjoy July,” said Traudt, who plays on the Nebraska Supreme AAU team that competes on the Under Armour AAU circuit. This circuit has three sessions of competition in July. “I’m not going to be too worried about recruiting in July. In August and September maybe I’ll be looking at visiting a couple more schools. Hopefully I can make a decision in the fall or winter.”

Is there a chance Traudt could sign during the Early Signing Period in November?

“There’s definitely a chance,” Traudt said. “When I know where I want to go, I’m definitely going to go ahead and decide. There could also be a chance I’ll wait a little bit longer. We’ll see.”

UVA impressed Traudt, but a commitment may not come any time soon. Don’t expect UVA’s hot pursuit of the skilled forward to change, though, as Bennett “said he is definitely going to stay in touch and he said that he’ll be at all of my events next month,” Traudt said.

More with Isaac Traudt

UVA has only offered five prospects in the class of 2022, including you and McKneely. What does that mean to you?

“That means a lot,” Traudt said. “They’ve been telling me I’m a top priority in this class, which means a ton. To have that interest coming from a school that just wont the national championship is great.”

What were your parents’ reactions to UVA?

“Pretty much the same as mine,” Traudt said. “They were really blown away and feel [Virginia] is something I need to consider heavily.”

The five schools you have visited and will visit in June. Did you pick those five because of your level of interest in them or did it just work out that way?

“I’m definitely really interested in all of them, but they are not a top five or anything,” Traudt said. “They were just kind of the schools recruiting me the hardest and they asked me to visit, so that’s what I was going to do.”

UVA’s upgraded weight room seems impressive. If there was one thing you could take home with you from that room, what would it be?

“They have cameras that measure your muscle deficiency, like areas you need to strengthen, so yeah, that is something I’d like to have,” Traudt said with a laugh.