Virginia Basketball picks up 2018 commit in shooting guard Kody Stattmann

In a surprise announcement late Monday night, Virginia basketball picked up a commit from Australian shooting guard Kody Stattmann.

The 6’7 Stattmann hails from Queensland, Australia, and isn’t too well known in the USA. He is, however, kind of a big deal Down Under. According to the Herald Sun - a paper based in Melbourne - Stattmann has a bright future ahead of him.

Shane Froling, a 20 year veteran of the National Basketball League (Australia’s NBA), says of Stattmann, “If he continues to develop, there is no reason he cannot be at that level. He has the ability to shoot it, be long and get to the rim, his whole game is NBA potential.”

He also described Stattmann as a “gym rat”.

He averaged 31 points, four rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game while playing for Australia in the 2017 U17 Oceania Championship. In the same event, Stattmann shot an impressive 59% from the field, including 53% from three.

Stattmann also participated in the 2017 Adidas Nations Global event in Houston, where Rivals’ Corey Evans (@coreyevans_10) named him to his All-World Team. Evans said:

“Stattmann is an absolute slinger. While he does need to get much stronger, more athletic and handle the ball better, the 6-foot-5 small forward can really shoot the basketball. He led the entire event in made 3s, knocking in 22 of his 51 perimeter attempts. He also showed quality rebounding know-how as he secured at least four rebounds in four of his games. Stattmann is a pure jump shooter that has heard overtures from several power conference programs. If he can sure up some of his deficiencies, Stattmann could have an opportunity to leave a lasting mark on a college program.”

Virginia will graduate Isaiah Wilkins, Devon Hall, and grad transfer Nigel Johnson after this season.

While more still needs to be ascertained about Stattmann, this is a good sign as the Hoos pick up the much needed first piece for the 2018 puzzle.