Many fans were upset that none of the players that we grew to know and love decided to return to UVa to play for Odom. Each player had a unique scenario that ultimately resulted in them moving on. While losing players hurts, I think it’s safe to say that overwhelmingly the guy everyone wanted to see finish his career as a Hoo was Isaac McKneely. In a tumultuous Junior season that started with Tony Bennett retiring, IMac still managed to average 14.4 ppg. One of the best shooters in the country, IMac would fit well in any system, and certainly would have been welcomed by Coach Odom, however McKneely transferred to Louisville this offseason.
The question is how much would it have cost to keep McKneely? Also, consider who would we not have signed in the transfer portal if we did retain IMac. An intriguing “what if” scenario centers on Isaac McKneely versus our two new guards: Jacari White, a 6’3” playmaker from North Dakota State, and Sam Lewis, a 6’6” shooter from Toledo. Let me be clear, we do not know the dollars are equal, but for fun we are going to complete this exercise under the premise that Odom could have retained IMac at the combined NIL cost of bringing in White and Lewis.
That raises a key question: Would UVA have been better off keeping McKneely instead of bringing in two players with potential but less proven high-major production?
The Case for McKneely: Proven Production, Elite Shooting
McKneely was one of UVA’s most efficient offensive players last season. He averaged 14.4 points per game, shot 42% from three-point range, and brought three full seasons of ACC experience. His off-ball movement, catch-and-shoot ability, and deep range were all elite by college standards.
In addition to his shooting, McKneely brought:
- Continuity: He was entering his fourth year and had spent three years in the UVA system, not to mention three years being loved by the Hoo Faithful.
Locker room leadership: As a player who developed under Tony Bennett, McKneely could have helped bridge the cultural transition to Odom’s staff.
Recruiting optics: Retaining a high-profile player sends a strong message to future recruits and the fan base.
The Case for White and Lewis: Fit, Depth, and Upside
In contrast, Jacari White and Sam Lewis are less proven at the high-major level but bring qualities that may align better with Odom’s preferred style of play.
White is an athletic combo guard with a quick first step and defensive intensity. In the 2023–24 season at North Dakota State, he averaged 17.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 45.2% from the field, 39.8% from three-point range, and 85.2% from the free-throw line. His performance earned him All-Summit League second-team honors.
Lewis, a 6’6” wing from Toledo, brings size, scoring punch, and defensive tools. He averaged 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game last season, shooting 47.0% from the field and showing the ability to knock down shots off the catch or off the dribble.
Both players appear to fit Odom’s system, which emphasizes pace, spacing, and positional versatility. And critically, adding two players who can contribute immediately improves depth, a major concern for UVA last season.
The Verdict: A Trade-Off Between Certainty and Potential
There’s no definitive answer—it depends on what you value most.
If the priority was to maintain some level of stability during a coaching change as well as making a large portion of the fan base happy, then retaining McKneely would have made sense. He offered elite shooting, ACC experience, and continuity. A face that the Hoo faithful could get behind as “their” guy could have gone a long way in ensuring that the portion of the “We should have kept Ron” fans stayed vested in the program. As is, probably the player most known to current fans is a player that hasn’t played a minute of college basketball yet in Chance Mallory. If the season doesn’t go as most expect and hope, without a familiar face, will the fans continue to show up?
But, if the focus was on building a more dynamic and versatile roster, then investing in White and Lewis could prove the smarter play. They bring athleticism, offensive upside, and a better fit for Odom’s modernized approach. Easy math says two is better than one right? Both White and Lewis are considered near, if not, elite shooters. Both players have proven, albeit at a lower level of competition, that they can play on both ends of the floor. In today’s world, coaching changes usually result in complete overhauls, and UVa proved to be no different.
Bottom line: UVA had a proven commodity and now has two players with breakout potential. Time will tell which of the sides was the right side to be on. Our advice, just embrace the guys we have now, while being grateful for the past we experienced. There is no going back to the Tony Bennett era, so rather than be sad that it’s over, be glad that it happened. Go Hoos!