“We’re thrilled to welcome Tobi back in maroon and orange,” said Virginia Tech head coach Mike Young in the university’s official announcement. “He handled the draft process with maturity, focus, and a strong desire to grow. The insights he gained will only make him better, and we’re excited about his future and what it means for our program.”
Back in mid-April, Tobi Lawal declared for the NBA Draft while keeping his final year of college eligibility intact. This allowed him to get valuable feedback from NBA personnel at various combines—an approach previously taken by Hokies standouts Keve Aluma and Justyn Mutts in 2021 and 2022. As he originally indicated, Lawal chose to return to Blacksburg if he didn’t stay in the draft.
“I’m grateful for the chance to explore the draft and gain experience through the process,” Lawal said. “It gave me a clear understanding of where I need to grow—refining my overall game, getting more in-game experience, and pushing myself to defend the best player on the floor every night. I’m excited to be back with my coaches and teammates at Virginia Tech, ready to chase our goals.”
This past season, Lawal led the Hokies in both scoring (12.4 PPG) and rebounding (7.0 RPG) after transferring from VCU. He was one of just four ACC players to lead their teams in both categories, joining Donald Hand Jr. (Boston College), Cooper Flagg (Duke), and Maxime Raynaud (Stanford).
The explosive 6-foot-8, 200-pound forward from London, England, shot 55.9% from the field (128-of-229) and started in 30 games. He missed matchups against Syracuse and North Carolina late in the season due to illness and a lower-body injury.
Otherwise, Lawal turned in a strong season, notching six double-doubles and scoring in double figures 20 times. He pulled down a career-best 13 rebounds in a win over Florida State and recorded a personal-high 23 points against Virginia.
“He’s the most athletic player I’ve ever coached,” Young said earlier in the season, referencing Lawal’s incredible 49.5-inch vertical leap.
Lawal’s basketball journey began at 16, after years of playing soccer and running track. After moving to the U.S., he played at Lee Academy in Maine and was recruited to VCU by current Virginia Tech assistant J.D. Byers. During his two years with the Rams, Lawal appeared in 63 games—starting once—and averaged 7.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game as a sophomore.
One of the most notable improvements in his game since arriving in Blacksburg has been his outside shooting. At VCU, he made just 3-of-7 three-point attempts, posing little threat from deep. That changed dramatically this season as he went 23-for-61 (37.1%) from beyond the arc, including three made threes in games against Duke, NC State, and Georgia Tech.
Lawal had until 11:59 p.m. ET on May 28 to decide whether to remain in the NBA Draft or return to college. With his decision to return, Virginia Tech now has 12 scholarship players set for the 2025–26 season—a roster that’s shaping up to be significantly improved.