Ryan Odom during a press conference at Ball Arena. Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

New Virginia HC Ryan Odom picks up major international commitment

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Apr 28, 2025 9:24 PM ET

Ryan Odom is looking to pick up the pieces at Virginia after long-time head coach Tony Bennett retired.

Bennett had been the head coach at Virginia since 2009 and he did one heck of a job for the Cavaliers, boasting a 364-136 overall record in Charlottesville and he won it all in 2018-19.

Bennett's retirement was a blow to UVA, especially because it came just 18 days before the start of the 2024-25 season. Associate head coach Ron Sanchez became the interim head coach for 2024-25, but it was a rough season. The Cavs went 16-17 and missed postseason play.

The hiring of Odom marked a huge moment of regained hope for Virginia, and he's now added to that in a big way on the international recruiting trail.

Johann Grunloh, a top international prospect, committed to the Cavaliers on Monday.

NEWS: German 7-footer Johann Grunloh has committed to Virginia, his club Rasta Vechta announced. Grunloh, a projected 2nd-round pick, is an elite shot-blocker who shot 35% for 3 this season.

Major pickup for Ryan Odom in one of the top internationals pursuing the college route pic.twitter.com/LA6HO70YJR
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 28, 2025

Grunloh is a 6-foot-11 power forward recruit from Germany who plays in the Basketball Bundesliga (BBL) for Rasta Vechta. This is the highest level of professional basketball in Germany, and Grunloh has averaged 7.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game as a starter for the club over the past two seasons.

This past season, he averaged 8.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game. Notably, he shot 35.7% from three-point range as a near seven-footer and according to Jonathan Givony, he hit 32 three-pointers in 28 games.

Johann Grunloh ranks as the 2nd-best shot-blocker in the German BBL, while hitting 32 3s in 28 games, an intriguing combination for a 19-year-old who also brings outstanding energy running the floor, crashing the glass, and switching on the perimeter with intensity and timing. https://t.co/94PZBeJBnb pic.twitter.com/iLvBAkDgvf
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 28, 2025

That's an intriguing skill set, and Grunloh will be a fun player to watch next season for Virginia.

Speaking of fun, Odom could quickly turn things around in Charlottesville. He's taken three different programs to the NCAA Tournament in his career. Virginia knows a thing or two about that, as Odom's 16-seeded UMBC team knocked the Cavaliers out of the first round of the NCAA Tournament back in 2018.

Last season, Odom won the Atlantic 10 regular season and conference tournament at VCU before his team lost to BYU in the first round of March Madness.

He was quickly scooped up by Virginia, and now he's quickly making some hay while the sun shines on the recruiting trail.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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