By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia’s Ryan Odom scoured the country looking for help at the center position for the upcoming season, someone who can back up starter Johann Grunloh. Odom looked at centers in the transfer portal but this past week, returned to the high school ranks for the answer.

UVA gained a commitment from 7-foot-1 Favour Ibe, who committed to the Cavaliers on Saturday. Ibe will be reporting to Charlottesville this summer to work with Grunloh and the rest of his teammates in preparation for the upcoming season.

Ibe, who visited UVA earlier in the week, chose the Wahoos over Tennessee, Alabama and Villanova, all schools that he visited. He had a ton of offers from other Power 4 schools, including defending national champion Michigan.

The big man from Mt. Zion Prep in Maryland was a prime recruiting target of Tennessee’s Rick Barnes.

Ibe brings a strong rim presence to the floor and has built a reputation as a solid defensive player. Both Barnes and Odom viewed him as a significant addition to their programs, as did Villanova, which was the early frontrunner in his recruitment.

Ranked the No. 82 overall prospect in the nation in the 206 recruiting class by Rivals, he is rated No. 139 by 247Sports composite. Ibe jumped from No. 126 to 82 in the Rivals rankings and was given a 4-star rating. Ibe was rated as the best high school center still available.

UVA flirted with other centers from the transfer portal but settled on Ibe, who will back up Grünloh this season.

“I chose Virginia because it just felt right for me,” Ibe told Joe Tipton of Rivals/On3. “The coaches believed in me from the start and I could really see myself growing there on and off the court. I also felt like the program fits the kind of player I am and the player I’m trying to become.”

Ibe said he trusted Virginia’s coaching staff from the very beginning and they showed him how he would fit into the Cavaliers system, no doubt going over film of Grünloh and Ugonna Onyenso from the past season.

“I’d say my game is physical, versatile and high energy,” Ibe told Tipton. “I like protecting the rim, catching lobs, rebounding, running the floor and making winning plays.”

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