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6 CAVALIER CORNER cavalier sports G raduate student forward Ben Vander Plas transferred to Vir- ginia after a successful five-year career at Ohio University. Vander Plas' tenure at Ohio was highlighted by his 17-point performance in the 13th- seeded Bobcats' upset against the fourth-seeded Cavaliers in the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Vander Plas' father, Dean, played collegiate basketball with UVA head coach Tony Bennett at Green Bay. Cavalier Corner: Why did you choose to transfer to UVA, and what goals did you set for yourself and the team for your last year of college basketball? Vander Plas: "When I took my visit to UVA during the recruiting process, I got to meet the entire coaching staff and some guys on the team. They were able to show me how they felt I could contribute to the team and improve individually as a player. "There were so many great pieces that I felt could help me as a player, including the great staff, Coach [Mike] Curtis and the strength and condition- ing program, and many other things. I also felt like I was welcomed by every person I met, and it made me feel like I could call this place home. "Coming here, I wanted to put myself in a position to contribute to a winning team during the season, wanted to enjoy my last year of college basketball, and wanted to improve personally so I could play profes- sionally. As a team, I think we all have the same idea, to win the ACC regular season, win the ACC Tournament and make a run in the NCAA Tournament." Cavalier Corner: How important was Virginia's tour of Italy in August for your ac- climation into the program as a transfer? Vander Plas: "The Italy trip was an amaz- ing time that also helped me get to know my new team well. Ten days over there trav- eling, exploring, playing, and just spending so much time together really helped me as I transitioned into a new team. "The playing part was important, and we got some extra practices in there to help me out with the basketball, but I would say spending time with the guys was the most important part." Cavalier Corner: How much pride do you take in passing, rebounding, setting screens and playing defense? Vander Plas: "Being a complete player is something that I really work hard on. A lot of times in basketball people only look at how many points you score, but the game is so much more than that. "I have so many great players around me, and everyone can put the ball in the hoop. So, I try to help the team with my passing ability, taking charges on defense, being the energy guy and other things like that. "This team has really accepted me for who I am as a player, and they allow me to go out there and do whatever I can to help the team win." Cavalier Corner: You seem to be really enjoying your last year of college basketball. Why is that, and where did your mustache, and larger than life personality come from? Vander Plas: "I have been in college basketball for a while now, and I know that this is my last season. The change in perspective for me has been huge and I really am trying to enjoy every single day. "My faith plays a huge part in who I am as well. I am so thank- ful for the opportunities that God has given me, so even when things aren't going perfect, I can still be thankful for where He has taken me in my life. "And for the mustache and per- sonality stuff, I must give a huge shout out to my brother, Sam. He has been a great role model for me my whole life, and he encour- ages me to just be who I am every day. I talk to him all the time, and he reminds me to just have fun through everything and enjoy every second of it. He had the mustache first and I definitely copied him." Cavalier Corner: What do you like to do away from basketball and what are your career plans after your professional hoops career? Vander Plas: "Outside of basketball, I re- ally enjoy watching the NFL [specifically the Packers], golfing, fishing, reading and play- ing video games. I spend a lot of my free time on my PC playing a bunch of games with my friends from home, my teammates and my brother. "After basketball is over for me, I would like to stay in the world of sports somehow. I don't really have a dream job but working in the front office of an NFL or NBA team would be amazing, either on the player side or the sponsorship and marketing side. A career in Esports would also be super inter- esting to me, either working for an organiza- tion with sponsorships and marketing or on the more creative side of the industry." — Erich Bacher five questions with Graduate Student Basketball Forward Ben Vander Plas Through 18 games this season, Vander Plas was averaging 8.1 points and 4.5 rebounds in 24.0 minutes per contest. (Photo by Matt Riley/courtesy UVA)