Virginia in lead for another international big man, 6-8 Belgian

By Jerry Ratcliffe

While it’s not a done deal, according to reports out of Spain, it looks like Ryan Odom and his staff will bring another international big man to Virginia’s program.

Thijs De Ridder, a 6-foot-8, 216-pound, power forward from Belgium, is close to committing to UVA. De Ridder is another projected second-round NBA Draft choice who has instead decided to give college basketball a try, just like German Johann Grunloh, who committed to Virginia recently.

“[De Ridder] is likely leaving Bilboa for Virginia,” according to Chema de Lucas, a major Spanish basketball journalist who covers the Spanish Lia Endesu, where De Ridder plays for Surne Bilboa Basket.

The 22-year-old Belgian, who played on the Belgium National Team between 2023-2025, was nominated as the best young player in Spain. His ‘24-’25 international statistical line is impressive over 45 games, averaging 10.1 points. 5.3 rebounds, 0.2 blocks per contest, making 54.4 percent of his field-goal attempts, 35.6 percent of his 3-pointers (32-90) and 70.1 percent from the free-throw line. He also had 40 steals.

De Ridder has also drawn interest from UConn, Iowa, Kansas State and Providence, with UVA and UConn appearing to be the finalists, the Cavaliers favored to land him.

De Ridder has been described as a tough and gritty forward, sneaky athletic, and like many European players, has a reliable outside shot. He entered last year’s NBA Draft to receive feedback and had a workout with the Indiana Pacers, coached by former UVA guard Rick Carlisle.

Virginia recently gained Grunloh, a 6-11 German big man, who was also projected as a NBA second-round draft choice, and 7-footer Ugonna Onyenso, a former Kansas State and Kentucky rim protector.