Big man Buchanan chooses Virginia over Gonzaga

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Photo: Coeur d’Alene Press

Big man Blake Buchanan announced Sunday night that he had committed to Virginia, choosing the Cavaliers over Gonzaga.

The 3-star center/power forward had narrowed his college choices to those two schools more than a week ago before making his decision. At 6-foot-10, 215 pounds, Buchanan can play a stretch 4 position, which UVA coach Tony Bennett loves, but can also play inside.

“The reason I picked Virginia was because of the coaching staff,” Buchanan told On3. “I wanted to play in a tough conference and the opportunities, resources on and off the court are going to be great.”

During the recent NBPA Top 100 camp in Orlando, which Bennett visited to watch the big man, Buchanan averaged 8.8 points, 6.2 rebounds and shot 48.6 percent from the field.

A member of the 2023 recruiting class, Buchanan is from Lake City High School in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.