There is no off-season in the world of college basketball. While practice does not officially start until Oct. 15, most basketball players spent the summer months working out, playing pickup games and taking summer classes.
Such is the case at Virginia, where the seven returning players and five newcomers have begun their training for the upcoming season.
After achieving a surprising level of success with a 7-9 ACC record during coach Dave Leitao's first season in Charlottesville, the Cavaliers hope to continue turning heads around the country this winter and return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2001.
"Summer has been good," sophomore forward Laurynas Mikalauskas said. "I had a chance to take an extra few classes, work out with the team and work on my game."
Summer school classes allow the players the opportunity to earn credits during a time of year much less stressful than basketball season.
Perhaps the most important element of summer preparations is conditioning, under the coordination of strength coach Shaun Brown. The players lift weights four times a week and also attend yoga classes twice a week. Several players have bulked up in recent months, including junior center Tunji Soroye, who has put on around 20-25 pounds of muscle.
The players also keep their game instincts sharp with daily evening pickup games at University Hall.
"It gets pretty competitive sometimes," Mikalauskas said. "Everyone has gotten stronger and bigger and I think we've gotten better as a team so it's helped us a lot."
The summer has also seen Virginia's five newcomers acclimate themselves to life in Charlottesville. These five -- Will Harris, Jerome Meyinsse, Ryan Pettinella, Solomon Tat and Jamil Tucker -- will provide a major boost to a roster that lacked depth at several key positions last season.
"The pickup games have been huge in terms of developing the chemistry level of the team," Pettinella, a junior transfer from the University of Pennsylvania, said. "The freshmen have adjusted pretty well to college life. It's not easy. I remember when I was a freshman, it took me almost the first year to fully adjust. I think these guys are getting used to the rigors of the schedule and are doing a great job so far."
He added that, even in pickup games, there is no comparison between ACC and Ivy League players.
"This is definitely another level," he said. "The size and speed, guys just kind of explode at this level. They get to the basket quicker and are a lot stronger in the paint."
Mikalauskas has been impressed with what he has seen from the five fresh faces.
"They're pretty good," Mikalauskas said. "I think that they are going to help us a lot next year. We have some tall guys and some guards so they should help us right away."
Read More
Seven Cavaliers, one recruit selected in 2025 MLB Draft
By Emory Huffman | 15 hours agoThe draft process went swimmingly for Virginia.
From debilitating illness to Grand Slam main draw: Chris Rodesch’s story
By Margaret Piatos | YesterdayChris Rodesch's torrid run has been an inspiring summer story.
Virginia reloads with a new leader, an emphasis on fundamentals and … bowling?
By Xander Tilock | July 10, 2025The new leader of Virginia men's basketball, and some players, offered an inside look at offseason plans.
