COMMITMENT: Virginia lands 4 star forward Isaac Traudt

The Virginia Cavaliers just landed a huge commitment from Isaac Traudt, a highly sought after power forward in the class of 2022. He selected the Cavaliers over teams like North Carolina, Michigan State, Gonzaga, Georgetown, Virginia Tech, and a host of others. Traudt, who is rated a four-star recruit by both Rivals and 247Sports, took to social media to announce his commitment on Saturday, August 28.

A native of Grand Island, Nebraska, Traudt has been a target for Tony Bennett and Virginia for a while. Fellow 2022 commit Isaac McKneely has been vocal about wanting Traudt to come with him to Charlottesville, using the hashtag “IsaacSquared” (which was seemingly started back in February by @HoopsonGrounds on Twitter) that Virginia faithful created on social media.

The duo played on the same team together at the 2021 Top 100 Camp, and McKneely was in Charlottesville the same time that Traudt made his official visit to Virginia.

“It was an experience like no other. I got treated like I was the greatest thing to ever walk this earth, me and Isaac both,” McKneely told 247Sports after that official visit. “That just showed us how much we mean to them, and how bad they want us to be there together. Isaac seemed blown away from the visit. He told me that he really enjoyed it and that he was glad he got to be there with me. I hope we can team up one day, and I think that visit was a step in the right direction with potentially making him a Hoo.”

Now, Traudt is going to be a Hoo.

At 6-10, 215, Traudt brings size and skill to the front court. He has the shooting ability to stretch opposing defenses, connecting on 51% of his shots from the field and 37% from three in his junior season at Grand Island High School. This shooting ability not only gives point guards like Reece Beekman room to drive, but it also just adds a solid perimeter shooter (something you always want). Traudt has solid handles for a guy his size, making it possible for him to attack closeouts or take advantage of slower defenders.

If he can’t get the shot off himself, Traudt has shown to be a savvy passer. While he’s not necessarily the guy that’s gotten a lot of assists — he averaged just one a game last season — he has shown to have a high basketball IQ in post situations. Virginia has needed the ability to work the ball inside more in the past couple seasons, and Traudt could be helpful in that sense.

As is the case with many incoming first years, Traudt will have to work on his defense, recovery from hedges, and rebounding. But he has shown maximum effort on both ends of the court — something Bennett clearly values in a player.

This is a huge pick up for the Cavaliers, and Traudt is the third to join the 2022 class. Four star wing Leon Bond committed at the end of July, making the trio of Traudt, McKneely, and Bond a formidable one. There is still the possibility of Virginia adding another player in the class, but it is already arguably one of Bennett’s best classes.