VMI Basketball Adds Eight Signees to Program

Andrew Wilson, VMI head basketball coach, has announced the addition of eight new signees to join the basketball program for the 2024–25 season.

The signing class features incoming athletes from California, Texas, Georgia, and Wisconsin, as well as international athletes hailing from Lithuania, Turkey, Canada, and Sweden. Among the signees is former Keydet Rickey Bradley Jr., who returns to VMI after playing last season at Georgia State following a great freshman campaign at VMI in 2022–23.

The coaching staff took an unconventional approach and dipped into the NCAA Transfer Portal to find athletes from the University of Portland, Indiana State, University of the Pacific, Lipscomb University, and Georgia State.

“I’m very excited about this incoming recruiting class,” Wilson said. “Each player we signed is going to bring value as we look to elevate the program within the SoCon. I’m very proud of my coaching staff for their hard work and outside-the-box approach during this recruiting cycle. We feel like this group will be a great fit at VMI on and off the court. I wanted to get older and more experienced, and I feel like we addressed both of those needs.”

Below is a synopsis of each signee:

Rickey Bradley Jr. – Milwaukee, Wisconsin – Georgia State transfer – Freshman at VMI 2022–23

• At VMI (2022–23)
• Led team in steals with 31 for the year
• Ranked 14th in SoCon in FG% at .480
• Finished 13th in SoCon in minutes played at 30.8 (956)
• Season-high 24 points vs. Wofford Feb. 22 in home finale
• Tallied 23 points at Fordham Dec. 22 with season-high five three-pointers
• Second on team in minutes per game at 30.8
• Second highest FT% on team at .809 (55-68)
• At Georgia State (2023–24)
• Played in 13 games, including six starts, and averaged 2.4 points and 1.8 assists
• Season-high 11 points and five assists vs. Toccoa Falls
• Had seven points, four rebounds, and five assists in home win over Little Rock
• Six points, four rebounds, and two steals in win at Western Michigan

Augustinas Kiudulas (Indiana State | Vilnius, Lithuania)

• Played for Vilnuis Rytkas 2 in the NKL National Basketball League in Lithuania
• Lithuanian national team member
• Averaged 11.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while shooting 38.2 percent from three in the second league in Lithuania before accepting a scholarship to Indiana State
• Played at Indiana State (32 – 7, NIT Tournament runner-up)

Cal Liston (Lassiter High School | Marietta, Georgia)

• 3x All-Region
• 2nd most points single game at Lassiter High School
• Pickens Tournament MVP
• 3.7 GPA

Cyprian Hyde (University of Portland | Oceanside, California)

• High school senior year averages: 15.5 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.3 blocks, 36 percent 3-PT
• Top 75-ranked player in California
• 230 pounds with 7’2” wingspan
• 70 blocks in senior season

Kaden Stuckey (Orangeville Prep, Canada)

• Power 5 AAA All-League Second Team (Canada)
• Son of Missouri St. Hall of Famer and former pro Kelby Stuckey
• 227 pounds, 6’ 8.5” height, 7’1” wingspan

Linus Holmström Riddervold (Colorado Prep | Stockholm, Sweden)

• Captain of U16 and U18 Swedish national team
• All-Star and leading scorer in the European Youth Basketball League.
• 27 points vs. Lithuania in FIBA European championships
• 5x MVP in European Youth Basketball League stages
• Team won European championships in the B division to go play in the A division next year

Tan Yildizoglu (University of the Pacific | Istanbul, Turkey)

• Played in 28 games and made a pair of starts, including the WCC Tournament game against Pepperdine
• Finished the regular season with a career game where he registered a trio of career highs, including 10 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists at San Diego
• Notched eight points in games against Nevada and Lamar
• Turkish national team member
• Paced Turkey with 20 points and eight assists in first-time historic win over Team USA for the bronze medal in the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2023

T.J. Johnson (Lipscomb University | Belton, Texas)

• Prepped at Belton High School under direction of Coach Jason Fossett
• Belton High School’s all-time leading scorer (2,672)
• Belton High School’s single-season points per game record holder (24.8)
• Part of 2021–22 District 12-6A basketball champion team
• Part of 2021 District 12-6A baseball champion team
• Two-time All-Region selection for 6A Region 2 (2020–21 and 2021–22)
• In his freshman year, was named Newcomer of the Year and to First Team All-District
• Sophomore year was named First Team All-District
• Named Offensive Most Valuable Player in his junior year
• Named District 12-6A Most Valuable Player in his senior year
• Served as team captain for basketball in his junior and senior year
• Served as team captain for baseball in his senior year
• Named a Mr. Texas Basketball Player of the Week

Editor’s Note: This article was first published at vmikeydets.com.