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Virginia reels in four-star small forward

While their football team lost a heartbreaker to No. 9 Notre Dame on the gridiron Saturday afternoon, all was not lost for the Virginia fan base. Tony Bennett’s basketball program, which was hosting some important visitors this weekend, managed to land yet another talented prospect in the Class of 2016.

6-foot-7 small forward DeAndre Hunter (Friends Central HS), a native of Philadelphia who cut his list to 11 schools in August, made his pledge Saturday night. News of Hunter’s commitment was first reported by Scout.com, and he’s the fourth commitment for the Cavaliers in the Class of 2016.

Hunter joins guards Ty Jerome and Kyle Guy and power forward Jay Huff in Virginia’s 2016 class. And with Mamadi Diakite, who reclassified into the 2015 class, redshirting this upcoming season the Cavaliers will essentially have a five-member freshman class when the 2016-17 season begins. Add in Memphis transfer Austin Nichols, who like Diakite will redshirt this season, and that’s a good group for Bennett and his staff to work with.

Hunter, who played for the Philly Pride program on the Under Armour Association circuit this summer, is an important addition for Virginia given who they’ll lose at the end of the 2015-16 season. Virginia has to account for the fact that both Malcolm Brogdon, a first team All-ACC selection last season, and reserve Evan Nolte will be seniors.

With two sophomores in Isaiah Wilkins and Marial Shayok, Virginia will have some experience on the wing in 2016-17 and the additions of Hunter and Guy help as well.

Video credit: Courtside Films