UVA basketball lands commitment from 2026 four-star center Favour Ibe
The 7-foot-1 freshman gives Ryan Odom and the Cavaliers a long-term answer at backup center behind Johann Grünloh.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 22: Head coach Ryan Odom of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Xfinity Mobile Arena on March 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images Virginia’s offseason roster picture is starting to come into focus. After adding UC Irvine transfer Jurian Dixon and Arkansas State transfer Christian Harmon earlier in the portal cycle, the Cavaliers have now landed a commitment from 2026 four-star center Favour Ibe.
The 7-foot-1, 235-pound big man out of Mt. Zion Prep in Maryland visited Charlottesville earlier this week and left pledged to Ryan Odom and company. This makes him the first member of Odom’s 2026 freshman class.
The Cavaliers have spent this offseason trying to do two things at once. They have needed to capitalize on the momentum of Odom’s first season while also avoiding unnecessary disruption to a roster that already returned most of its core. That is a tricky balance.
Compared to 2025, Virginia was looking to supplement its roster instead of rebuilding. Dixon and Harmon addressed important questions by adding guard/wing depth, but fans were still clamoring for a replacement for fan favorite Ugo Onyenso at the backup five. Ibe fits that description.
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