Hank Thorns

The rumblings that Hank Thorns’s days at VT were over have been confirmed.    Hokiesports.com has reported that Thorns is leaving.  It is unclear at this time where Thorns will go. 

With Thorns gone, the Hokies will face depth issues at the point guard position again next year.  Incoming freshman Erick Green will be counted on to fill Thorns’ minutes.  It is likely that Green would have eaten up Hank’s minutes even if Hank stayed, which was probably a catalyst for this move by Thorns.

This may be hard to believe now, but Thorns actually started over Delaney at the beginning of the 2007-08 season.  He averaged 4.6 ppg and 3.2 apg his freshman year and set the freshman record for assists (113).  But this past year those averages dropped to 2.7 and 2.4 respectively as his minutes also dwindled.  Hank could never establish himself as an offensive threat.  He shot under 30% from the field this season and was just 8/41 on threes (19%).  His height was also an issue at times on defense as guards could shoot over him.  He did have an assist-to-turnover ratio of almost 2:1 though, and was excellent in this category in ACC play, leading the conference with a 2.8:1 ratio in ACC games.

Hank had some pointed comments towards Greenberg in this Roanoke Times article.  All I’ll say is Hank was the last person on the floor to warmup before VT’s NIT game against baylor, heading out for the shootaround well after everyone else.  Best I could tell, he had already checked out.  But I’ll let sleeping dogs lie.

This news came on the heels of the announcement that someone was transferring to VT…

Allan Chaney

That someone is Allan Chaney, a 6’8″ forward who played for the florida gators this past season.  Allan will transfer to VT for next year but he will have to sit out the upcoming season (he can practice with the team) and then will have three years of eligibility left beginning with the 2010-11 season. 

Richmond Times Dispatch Article

Chaney was a 4-star recruit in the Class of 2008 according to Rivals.com and was rated the #96 player overall in that class.   Scout.com also rated Allan as a 4-star, the #61 player overall, and the #17 power forward in the country for 2008.  He is originally from Baltimore and knows Malcolm Delaney, but he played his high school ball in Connecticut and Tech apparently did offer him in high school.

Chaney played in 23 games for the gators this past season and averaged three points and two rebounds in 10 minutes per game.  But Allan played in just one of florida’s final 13 games while battling a foot injury.  He apparently fell into Billy Donovan’s doghouse and was suspended for the gators’ final two games of the season (Chaney’s account of what happened is in the Roanoke Times article up above).  This ultimately led to his decision to transfer.

Chaney will give the Hokies a big body inside as he carries over 230 lbs. on his 6’8″ frame.  Tech also has a verbal from another Top 100 recruit, Jarell Eddie, who will start at VT for the 2010-11 season.

Recruiting Tidbit

The Chaney news means the Hokies will likely not get Deshawn Painter.  Painter was a one time florida commit who reopened his recruiting about a month ago.  The Top 150 prospect visited VT, nc state, and maryland since then and was expected to announce his decision this week among those three.  But the Hokies are maxed out on scholarships (13) with the news that Chaney is replacing Thorns.

Painter’s cousin, Vinston Painter, is on the Hokie football team.  Deshawn is not fully qualified for next year anyway, so this may all be a moot point if he has to prep next season.

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