Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/324312
strength for the rigors of the ACC," Bossi added. "He has quickness and lean strength so he's not totally physically overmatched, but he does need to be able to play with a bit more physicality. He can play up in the high post where he is a good passer and reliable shooter, and he is able to track down rebounds out of his position and moves well within a motion offense." The other high school addition to the class is Sha- yok, a 6-6, 205-pound small forward who originally signed with Marquette last fall before opening up his recruitment following a coaching change and picking UVa this spring. "I think Virginia envisions Shayok as a wing scorer who can help out some on the glass," Bossi said. "He has good size, is an effective rebounder from the wing and doesn't lack at all for confidence. Heading into college, he is likely most comfortable in the mid-range game. "Like any college freshman, he will need to ad- just to the physicality of the college game. The biggest thing for Shayok, though, is that he needs to loosen up a little. At times, he has been a bit rigid and straight up and down in his play. Adding flex- ibility will be key." Williford said the coaches in Charlottesville loved bringing Shayok into the class because of his versatility and the way he can finish. "His length and athleticism make him a complete wing," Williford said. "He gives us a lot in the tran- sition game that we can really use, plus he can really finish around the rim." "Because Shayok has some toughness about him, decent size and good rebounding instincts, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he ended up getting used some as a four man if UVa wants to play small for stretches," Bossi added. The unknown of the group is Salt, a 6-10, 240-pound center from Westlake Boys High School in Auckland's North Shore. Born in London, he's lived in New Zealand most of his life but enrolled at UVa in late May. "We need him to be a physical, stingy defender," Williford said. "He's a tough-minded presence in the paint, and he gives you a great rebounder with size. He can mix it up a little on you and be a screener and a guy who can clean it up around the basket. He definitely gives us something that we don't already have." Thompson, who committed to UVa in late May following his first-year season at UT, is not part of the 2014 class, but he comes to Charlottesville as a player that Bennett can trust as a backup point guard. Thompson played in all 37 games with 10 starts for Tennessee (24-13 record) in 2013-14, and he averaged 2.6 points, 2.0 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.0 steal and 16.8 minutes per contest. "Coming out of high school, we snuck Thomp- son into the back end of the Rivals150 because we were intrigued by his upside," Bossi said. "At about 6-foot-4, he has good ball skills and can play some at both the point and shooting guard positions. "He didn't put up eye-popping numbers at Ten- nessee, but he showed flashes. And now, with a transfer year to focus on the weight room and skill development, he should be a very good player." ◆ CLASS OF 2014 UVA BASKETBALL SIGNEES Name (National Rank*) Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (High School) Jack Salt C 6-10 240 Auckland, New Zealand (Westlake Boys) Marial Shayok SF 6-6 205 Blairstown, N.J. (Blair Academy) B.J. Stith (65) SG 6-5 180 Lawrenceville, Va. (Oak Hill Academy) Isaiah Wilkins (101) PF 6-8 205 Norcross, Ga. (Greater Atlanta Christian) * Rivals.com i29.UVa Recruiting.indd 2 6/3/14 2:43 PM