collegiatetimes.com
September 24, 2019
An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903
ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES
CARLA ARANEDA / COLLEGIATE TIMES
INQUIAD CHOWDHURY / COLLEGIATE TIMES
ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES
ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES
PAGE 2 September 24, 2019
opinions collegiatetimes.com
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The internet has stolen our right to be forgotten Social media allows careless mistakes to be immortalized despite a growing number of young people having access to it.
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frequent, such as Google, Facebook and Twitter, to delete all data about ourselves that they have stored for future use. This concept has already been proven to work in the European Union, which passed a law providing the right in 2014. As more and more of our lives are put online for the public to see, we must consider all options on the table to withdraw the consent of our lives being on display for the world to see. While we must take responsibility for what we post, we must balance that with the fact that we often don’t think of long term consequences before we post.
MARCUS LEWIS opinions columnist
Don’t talk to strangers, and never post anything online you wouldn’t want me to see.” These were the guidelines my mom gave me when I first got a Facebook account in fifth grade. It made me feel so mature to have one. It was my first real access to what I’d call the real internet, the one that existed beyond Nickelodeon and Disney.com. Back then I told myself I would never post anything that could come back to hurt me later on, until I went back last year and saw once again the horrors of my old Facebook. Luckily, I had never posted anything disparaging towards another person; I was never cruel nor did I take part in the multitude of pointless arguments that were bound to happen when 12-year-olds are given unfettered access to the internet with little to no supervision. Mostly, it was just posts with embarrassing grammar mistakes or ones with little to no thought given to how they may affect me later on in life. Things seemed to change when I got a Twitter. It was seventh grade. In those short couple of years, I had learned how to curse effectively for the first time in my life, and with a wide new vocabulary paired with an immature 13-year-old brain it seemed perfectly reasonable to curse and vent all my feelings to my measly hundred followers. Tweets that are now seemingly on the internet forever. I’m not alone in these sentiments. In our increasingly connected society it seems that everyone has pictures or videos of them posted somewhere that would be if not detrimental to future prospects simply
INQUIAD CHOWDHURY / COLLEGIATE TIMES Deleting a post on social media, Sept. 22, 2019.
embarrassing to have come to light, whether it be a night in college where you got slightly too drunk at a friend’s party, or a finsta post that no one should ever see again. We live in an ever-changing and more interconnected world. With people getting online earlier and earlier in their lives, it’s inevitable that someone will post something online that years later may hurt them. Parents simply telling their children to mind what they post doesn’t work all that well either. It’s easy to post something with no thought of the consequences. Moreover, everyone has signed internet terms and agreements that we barely take a look at. Most of these agreements give internet companies the right to collect and sell massive amounts of data about our browsing habits and can offer insights into
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our private lives that we never intended to share with others, let alone large advertising companies. These complex issues lead to a relatively easy solution. Everyone should have the right to tell major companies that we
MARCUS LEWIS • opinions columnist • sophomore/national security and foreign affairs
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news collegiatetimes.com/news
Students demand action to fight climate change Members of the community protested with the Global Climate Strike and demanded sustainable university practices. MACKENZIE WILLIAMS news reporter
Virginia Tech students and members of the local community took part in the Global Climate Strike Friday, Sept. 20, to raise concerns about the environment protection within the Virginia Tech community. Virginia Tech students and faculty, and locals of the New River Valley, all gathered on the Drillfield at noon to address climate change happening in the New River Valley. The protest resulted in a list of demands created by Virginia Tech students in response to various policies toward climate change happening both on-campus and around the Blacksburg area. Heidi Hahn, a sophomore studying environmental policy and planning, was one of the many passionate students involved with hosting the strike and compiling a list of demands for the university. “We are asking for a few different things,” Hahn said. “(That) they divest from fossil fuels (and) get more renewables at Virginia Tech.” The march path circled campus starting from the Pylons and continued down toward the steam plant and downtown Blacksburg. Speakers and participants expressed their pressing concern for the Mountain Valley Pipeline Project and how it has affected those living in southwest Virginia. Emily Satterwhite, associate professor and director of Appalachian studies at Virginia Tech, notes that she believes there is an “incredible movement of people in the area right now against the Mountain Valley Pipeline; there is an incredible upsurge in awareness about climate change in this area.” Moreover, divestment from fossil fuels with companies like Dominion Energy was at the forefront of the protest. Speaker Anthony Flaccavento expressed his thoughts on climate change, emphasizing
the connection between politics and energy companies tied together monetarily making the “situation so dire.” Other speakers included Blacksburg High School students who marched out of classrooms prior to the strike’s beginning in front of the Pylons. A middle school student spoke about raising awareness of air pollution and wildfires following his personal experience. Lastly, Jason Chavez, a graduate student studying political science, addressed the crowd reminding the audience to “look for the wisdom of indigenous people,” and avoid a “colonial world view,” when extracting Earth’s natural resources. Chants echoed across campus demanding “climate justice,” and “no more coal, no more oil, keep your carbon in the soil.” Other policies demanded by students included using 100% renewable energy by 2030, having President Sands sign the Global Climate Emergency Letter and updating the Virginia Tech Climate Action Agreement (VTCAC) created in 2009. VTCAC was one of the university’s first green endeavors. The 14-point document sets standards like reducing campus greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80% below the 1990 emission level by 2050 and created the Office of Sustainability at Virginia Tech (OSVT). Updates to VTCAC in 2013 have been approved for the original document; however, its enactment date is still pending. The effective date is listed as, “upon approval by the president” following publication. The Office of Sustainability made headway in waste management and student engagement through the primarily Request for Proposal for Sustainability Initiative by Student Organizations (Green RFP). According to the latest Sustainability Annual Report, the university reached a recycling rate of 39% in 2017. Additionally, OTF is primarily
responsible for recording Virginia Tech consumption. OSVT submits annual Sustainability Tracking, Assesment, and Rating System (STARS) reports detailing energy consumption levels and overall environmental progress. In most recent STARS, Virginia Tech received a gold-rating, between the highest at platinum and middle at silver, and self-reported that 61.60% of coal was used for electricity consumption and 19.89% derived from natural gas. The students’ list of demands were
handed to Virginia Tech’s Executive Vice President and Provost Cyril Clarke in front of Burruss Hall. Clarke and students agreed upon a meeting with President Tim Sands this coming week to further discuss Virginia Tech’s environmental policies.
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Fashion brand exploits Virginia Tech shooting Virginia Tech responded to Bstroy’s controversial school shooting sweatshirt designs modeled at New York Fashion Week. JOEY RABE news staff writer
Fashion clothing brand Bstroy has come under fire recently over a new line of clothing it revealed during New York Fashion Week. Bstroy revealed a line of hoodies with the names of four sites of mass shootings: Virginia Tech, Sandy Hook Elementary, Marjory Stoneman Douglas and Columbine. Each hoodie featured “distressed detailing resembling bullet holes,” according to CBS News. Almost 100 people were killed across the four sites listed above. This includes Virginia Tech, where 32 people were killed in 2007. Thus far, the clothing line has received largely negative responses, although there has been some support as well. With the spread of images from the fashion show, Virginia Tech released a statement on Twitter in response to an image showing “Virginia Tech” embroidered across the front of one of the tattered hoodies. “This is not an endorsed university item, and we reject its message and imagery,” the statement read. “We’ve asked this item to be removed and not sold as it represents an illegal use of our name.” It continued to state that the community can help by not sharing this image to prevent any further harm. It does not appear that any further action will be taken at this time. Following the backlash, Bstroy
@BSTROY.US / INSTAGRAM An image posted to @bstroy.us on Instagram shows a Virginia Tech sweatshirt designed to resemble bullet holes. The post was later taken down, Sept. 18, 2019.
co-founders Brick Owens and Dieter Grams defended the message of their newest fashion line. “Sometimes life can be painfully ironic. Like the irony of dying violently in a place you considered to be a safe, controlled environment, like a school,” said Owens in an Instagram post. Owens continued, writing how the
clothing, part of Bstroy’s spring 2020 collection called “Samsara,” was intended to explain the “fragility, shortness, and unpredictability” of life and how “Samsara is the cycle we must transcend to reach Nirvana.” According to TIME, Grams made a statement regarding the goal of this newest line and what he and Owens wanted to
accomplish. “We wanted to make a comment on gun violence and the type of gun violence that needs preventative attention and what its origins are,” said Grams in the statement released to TIME. In addition, Grams noted that Bstroy originally did not intend to put the hoodies up for sale, but are now considering it following small pockets of support from the public. Despite the intended message of this clothing line, the reveal left victims and gun control activists advocating for the termination of the new line and for the company to issue a formal apology. Among those speaking out against the company’s reference to the mass shootings was Fred Guttenberg, the father of one of the victims in the Parkland shooting. “Under what scenario could somebody think this was a good idea? This has me so upset,” Guttenberg tweeted Sept. 17. Guttenberg continued by urging people to advocate for the end of the sale of these items. Delaney Tarr, a survivor of the Parkland shooting and co-founder of the March For Our Lives advocacy group, called the clothes “disgusting” and “unacceptable” in a recent tweet. It has yet to be seen whether Bstroy will include these hoodies in its Samsara line.
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First town-gown reviews over-enrollment crisis The director of undergradute admissions led a discussion about enrollment management at the event. ADIAH GHOLSTON news staff writer
Juan Espinoza, director of undergraduate admissions, addressed how last year’s over-enrollment happened and the steps Virginia Tech is taking to better manage the enrollment of students in the coming year at the Blacksburg Town/ Gown meeting on Thursday, Sept. 19 at 6:00 p.m. “The enrollment advisory committee was lead by the provost ... college deans and different administrators around the university,” Espinoza said. “Its main goal
(of the committee) was to figure out how we can make sure that this is a positive enrollment of students as they come into campus –– how can we work with the hotels and town to make this as seamless as possible, make sure the same experience everyone has had here for the last several years as a freshman continues on for these students.” Espinoza explained how the changes to the admissions process may have made Virginia Tech seem more attractive and accessible to future students, leading to more students than expected to accept their offers. The changes to the admissions
process included joining the Coalition for College, self-reporting, new application deadlines and more emphasis on a student’s identity outside of academics. Outside factors like the Virginia Tech basketball team going to the Sweet 16 and the new innovation campus may have also raise the attractiveness of Virginia Tech, Espinoza said. In sync with the campus master plan, the university already expected to accept more students than the previous year. The number of offers are relatively similar when comparing 2018 and 2019, but the yield rate increased.
In-state offers for students went from 9,151 in 2018 to 9,778 in 2019. The yield rate, which is the percent of students who choose to enroll, went from 47.1% in 2018 to 52.8% in 2019. Out-of-state students had the biggest jump in offers from 8,874 in 2018 to 10,262 in 2019. The out-of-state yield rate went from 18.7% to 21.4% within a year. The number of offers for international students went from 1,929 to 1,986, and the yield rate increased from 32.2% in 2018 to 36.3% in 2019.
TOWN GOWN / page 5
editor@collegiatetimes.com from page 4
“Yield rates are becoming harder and harder to predict because as more students apply to more schools,” Espinoza said. “It’s very common to see (students applying to) 10 schools, and they’re only going to one place, and chances are they are getting offered to several schools; that is messing with everyone’s yield rate, and so everyone’s yield rate is going down. For us to shoot up to 50% is insane and shows people are really interested in what we have been doing here, so now we have
collegiatetimes.com to adjust and make sure this year we’re factoring that number in.” Espinoza unveiled strategies to manage student numbers for the next year. He revealed that admissions do not have any intentions of having the student body go over 30,000 until 2023. To reach this goal, admissions will have to be more conservative. This means changing the yield model to reflect the higher yield from the previous. The admissions team will also implement more variables in the application process like campus visits, where it was found those who visited were more
likely to attend. For the more competitive colleges like the College of Engineering, the College of Science and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, this means implementing a waitlist strategy. “It doesn’t mean waitlist everyone; it means essentially that we want to be a little more conservative and have that waitlist to inch up to where we need to be,” Espinoza said. “So, if we’re shooting for a goal of 300, aim for 290 and then to inch up to 300 to insure we don’t go over ... whatever (number) we’re looking at.”
lifestyles
September 24, 2019 PAGE 5
The admissions group hasn’t set an official number of students admitted, but will set the number after getting results from the yearly census, which indicates how many students graduated, transferred and are still attending.
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NRV reading list: Books to acquaint yourself with the area Here are three stories that take place in or near Southwest Virginia to help familiarize new students with the region. BRYCE NOLAN lifestyles staff writer
The New River Valley region of Virginia is an area of the Commonwealth with a rich history, breathtaking natural scenery and more than a few adequate pastimes. Even a cursory glance at what this place has to offer reveals that it is not the culturally bereft locale it is often made out to be. Southwest Virginia served as the gateway to the west during the earliest days of American expansion, and it remains a top destination for outdoor activities from fishing to hiking. In the interest of revealing this area’s latent charms and arming the new arrivals with the literary muscle to work through this new chapter in their lives, I have assembled a reading list for those who wish to familiarize themselves with the area as well as to motivate readers in such a transformative time as this. “Follow the River” by James Alexander Thom The story of Mary Draper Ingles, a colonial woman abducted from the village of Draper’s Meadow (where Virginia Tech now stands) during an attack by the Shawnee tribe in 1755, and her journey home from her captors in the Ohio River valley is one of Southwest Virginia’s most beloved historical tales. James Alexander Thom’s novelization of Mary Ingles’
ordeal became a national bestseller, and it has been a local classic ever since its publication in 1981. “Fishing the New River Valley: An Angler’s Guide” by M. W. Smith The New River and its various tributaries are a haven for smallmouth bass, rock bass, the Appalachia Darter and many other species of fish, in addition to being one of the five oldest rivers in the world according to some sources. This thin but handy guide to the best fishing spots in the area will have even the most well-informed anglers learning new things. Though you might not be a fisher at the moment, there’s no place in the world better to learn the art of angling than the NRV, and few better guides to getting the most out of the pastime. “Looking for Alaska” by John Green When I thought to myself, “what’s the best book I’ve read about going to a new place?” the first answer I came up with was the first novel from young adult superstar and YouTube extraordinaire John Green. This Printz Award-winning novel follows the story of a boy named Miles, nicknamed “Pudge” as he transfers to a new boarding school, guided by the last words of French writer Francois Rabelais, “I go to seek a great perhaps.” While the novel takes place at a high school in Alabama and is primarily concerned with Pudge’s
Looking for Alaska book cover.
relationship with the character Alaska, the implications behind the “great perhaps” will be different for every reader, and mulling over what your great perhaps might be is a worthy thought experiment that every college student will, at some point, go through. If someone were to ask me to recommend them a gift of some kind or just anything to get them through a tough time, my first instinct is to recommend a book. The books I have mentioned here were chosen based on both their significance to the area as well as their value as
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works of prose. And honestly, all of them are just good, generally easy reads. Since a good book will contain a wide range of emotional experiences and will provoke the reader into self-reflection, there are few better things one can do at college than pick up a book or two.
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Fine arts events to look out for at Moss Arts Center this fall
Check out these five performances and shows to whet your cultural appetite from September to November. ALEXA BEMENT
lifestyles contributor
The fall semester has rolled around again, and as the summer heat slowly begins to fade and the leaves are soon to begin to turn, the arts here at Virginia Tech are as alive and active as ever. Here are five art events worth checking out that will enrich your VT experience this fall. “Animal Style by Hsiang Tu” Performed by one of our very own faculty members, assistant piano professor Hsiang Tu, this program of piano music is subtitled as ‘inspired by the animal kingdom,’ leaving one to wonder what kind of performance could be in store. Is it going to literally have animal noises imitated on piano? Is the style of music going to reflect a feeling of what the natural world is like? Whatever the meaning, it’s sure to end up being a unique
Moss Arts Center, Sept. 10, 2019.
musical experience. The performance will be on Sept. 30 at 8 PM at the Recital Saloon in Squires. Admission is free. “National Geographic Live: View From Above” The third of three talks of National Geographic being held this semester, students can witness a trip on the International Space Station told through the perspective of its commander. And who doesn’t enjoy a little NatGeo every once in a while to talk about space? Add seeing it on such a unique viewing space right here on campus with tons of people in a theatre, and you have an experience that isn’t likely to be replicated. The viewing will be held at the Moss Arts Center, on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 7:30 PM. Student tickets are 10 dollars. “HOME” “HOME” is a comedy play that aims to
“We are fortunate to have as much of an art scene as we do here at Virginia Tech, and as we prepare to breathe in the fresh air of fall, we may catch a breath full of the arts as well. utilize the stage in a groundbreaking way, building an elaborate set of the interior of a house with multiple rooms right before your eyes. The play promises to explore themes of what the nature of a home truly is, in both the mental and physical aspects, and just how difficult it can be to build either one in the context of the environment of the world we live in today. Perhaps it will make you laugh, perhaps it will make you think, perhaps it will make you question the way things work — but one thing’s for sure, it’s bound to be a play
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with nothing quite like it. “HOME” will be performed at Moss Arts Center on Friday, Nov. 1 and Saturday, Nov. 2, 7:30 PM. Student tickets are 10 dollars.
“DATAFORM” Every day, we generate and store tons of data without giving it a second thought. “DATAFORM” transforms data into 3D sculptures for viewing pleasure using technology such as LEDs and computer algorithms. Who ever thought that data could be art? Well, Daniel Canogar, Yorgo Alexopoulos and Jim Campbell certainly did. The exhibit is ongoing in the Moss Arts Center until Nov. 9, and if you’d like to see information in a never before seen form, you should consider stopping by.
“The Santaland Diaries” This comedy play isn’t your typical Christmas special-- as evidenced in part by it not being put on in December. The protagonist becomes an elf at a Macy’s store, and has to endure the holiday rush time. Given that premise alone, I can already imagine the sort of comedy and commentary both it must contain on consumer culture and holiday crazes. If that sort of comedy is up to your tastes, this will definitely be a performance worth sitting down and enjoying. It will be held Oct. 30 through Nov. 1 at Theatre 101, 7:30 PM, and admission is free. We are fortunate to have as much of an art scene as we do here at Virginia Tech, and as we prepare to breathe in the fresh air of fall, we may catch a breath full of the arts as well.
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Men’s soccer squanders early lead in competitive 2–1 loss to Louisville After late goals from the Cardinals handed the Hokies a quality loss, Tech must look to future ranked matchups. NICHOLAS HATCH sports staff writer
In the incredibly competitive ACC Coastal Division, the Virginia Tech Hokies need every win they can get before having to battle juggernauts such as Clemson and Virginia, two teams that will be competing for an ACC title. Entering the matchup against the Louisville Cardinals as the No.
17 team in the nation, an impressive feat to begin with, the Hokies remained underdogs against many of their division foes due to the talent level of the ACC Coastal. Louisville, the reigning ACC champions, looked to hold off a dynamic and hungry Virginia Tech team on its home turf Friday night. It barely did, taking home a 2–1 come-from-behind victory over the Hokies. The Hokies got the party started in the
36th minute thanks in part to a beautiful pass from junior Kristo Strickler. He sliced the ball through the middle of the field, and it was ultimately kicked into the goal at the far left post from a sliding Jon Ingason. Ingason, a senior from Vestmannaeyjar, Iceland, was Virginia Tech’s leading goal scorer in 2018 and put the Hokies out in front early. Virginia Tech would hold the Cardinals off throughout the game despite being outshot 15–9. It appeared as though a second consecutive shutout was imminent for the Hokie defense, anchored by goalkeeper Mathijs Swaneveld. Swaneveld, one of the best goalkeepers in the country, leading the division in saves in 2018, was unable to hold off Louisville any longer as it struck late in the 82nd minute of the match and once more with a knockout punch in the 85th minute. Both goals were scored by Cardinals midfielder Cherif Dieye, a key piece to their 2018 ACC Tournament championship. On the first goal, Dieye pressured the Virginia
September 24, 2019 PAGE 7
Tech goal from the left side of the field on a nice pass that put him in front of the Hokie defense and ultimately tied the game at one a piece on a beautiful top-shelf bullet above the head of Swaneveld. His second score of the game three minutes later was impressive as he was able to find considerable space at the top of the box and sent in a bouncing ball into the left-most side of the net, right under the body of Swaneveld, resulting in the final score of 2–1 with the Hokies on the losing end. While Virginia Tech men’s soccer put up a valiant effort against a strong Louisville team, the schedule does not get much easier, with clashes against No. 5 Virginia as well as No. 15 Duke. The Hokies will look to rebound Sept. 27 when they host Boston College at home.
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Women’s soccer shuts out Miami in first ACC matchup of season, 2–0
Tech remains undefeated behind two goals from midfielder Emily Gray and three saves by goalie Mandy McGlynn. CLAIRE CASTAGNO assistant sports editor
COURTESY OF HOKIESPORTS
ALEX NAGELI / COLLEGIATE TIMES Emmalee McCarter (24) kicks the ball down the field against Alabama, Sept. 5, 2019.
Thanks to three saves by goalie Mandy McGlynn, No. 18 Virginia Tech’s two-goal victory over Miami on Sept. 21 marks the third game in a row Tech has not let its opponents score. Sophomore midfielder Emily Gray was the driving force against the Canes. She scored both goals for Tech and now has scored four times in the last three matches. With the goals, she became the first Hokie since 2015 to record goals in three consecutive matches and kick game winners in all three. In the eighth minute of play, sophomore Grace Sklopan drew a foul and set up a free kick for Gray. Gray connected with the back of the net to put the Hokies up 1–0 early. In the 86th minute, Gray picked up a loose ball and scored again to seal up the game. It will certainly be interesting to see how Gray progresses throughout the remainder of the season. Virginia Tech put pressure on Miami the entire game and the ball was often
near Miami’s goal. The Hokies outshot the Canes 16–4. But, Miami goalkeeper Tyler Speaks came up with four saves. With the 2–0 win, the Hokies advance to 9–0 on the season and tie the 2012 program for the second-longest win streak to start the season. One more win would match the school record at 10–0. But, Virginia Tech has a huge hurdle to overcome in order to achieve that feat. Up next, Tech takes on in-state rival and the No.1 team in the nation, the University of Virginia. That match will take place in Charlottesville, Virginia, on Sept. 26, giving Virginia the home advantage. The Hokies will likely be preparing all week for what is arguably its biggest game of the season. Many players must come up big in that contest order to remain undefeated. Miami will now prepare for its matchup against Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, also on Sept. 26 and looks to break its two-game losing streak.
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PAGE 8 September 24, 2019
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Virginia Tech’s current presence in the NBA has the potential to make an impact on the league As the 2019 NBA tipoff nears, Tech’s rookies settle into their spots on rosters and will likely use the season to develop. GRIFFIN SCANLAN sports staff writer
The Virginia Tech Hokies basketball program has to be feeling proud to see its recent collegiate stars fulfilling their dreams as professional basketball players. Three players, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Justin Robinson and Ahmed Hill have now all signed contracts with NBA teams before the season, with Hill being the last to sign on with a team after joining the Charlotte Hornets on a two-way contract. Nickeil Alexander-Walker Alexander-Walker, the 6-foot-6 shooting guard who was drafted 17th overall to the New Orleans Pelicans, is both an outstanding three-point shooter
and a talented defensive mind, making him a very valuable two-way player for the Pelicans. He will compete with three other shooting guards for minutes. After his summer league performance, AlexanderWalker looks like he is ready for the NBA and is among the most talented NBA rookies. However, the likelihood of him getting many minutes this year is low. As of now, the Pelicans’ starting shooting guard will be Jrue Holiday, and his backup will be J.J. Redick. With few minutes left for the position, Nickeil will be fighting for those last few with E’twaun Moore, a veteran shooting guard. Although it looks as though AlexanderWalker won’t spend much time, if any, on the court this season, he will learn the
ropes and become a strong building block for the young core in the future. He is a versatile player with an understanding of the game that is rare for his age. We saw during his second year at Virginia Tech how he stepped up as a point guard in Robinson’s absence in the middle of the season. He has the ability and talent to play three positions on the court with the handles and IQ of a point guard, shooting and defense of a 3-and-D shooting guard, and the size to play small forward if needed. Alexander-Walker has a bright future in the NBA. Justin Robinson Next, undrafted rookie Robinson has a real chance to find minutes for the Wizards this season, especially with John
Wall out for most, if not all, of the season due to injury. The Wizards signed Ish Smith and Isaiah Thomas, two guards with very one-sided styles, to solve the depth issues at point guard. Smith is known for his play-making but doesn’t have a talent for scoring. While Thomas is a great scoring point guard, he lacks the vision of a great playmaker. Robinson has the perfect combination of scoring and playmaking the Wizards are looking for. With Wall out they need a young point guard they can create a future with. The Wizards also need a balanced guard because without Wall, they are losing almost a fifth of their average points per game and nine of their 26 assists. Robinson has the ability to create plays and open the floor effortlessly, a gift few players have especially at his age. Adding to playmaking ability, he has an offensive mindset allowing him to see when to shoot and when to drive past players. Robinson is the best choice to start the 2019-2020 season. He will be a great backup when Wall returns too because he will have experience on the NBA stage, which is the one thing he lacks.
Ahmed Hill Lastly, there’s Hill. The former Hokie wing went undrafted but just recently signed a two-way deal with the Charlotte Hornets. Although he will spend most of his time in the G-League, it is possible for him to earn minutes later in the season if the Hornets don’t see the playoffs in their future. Hill, unlike Alexander-Walker or Robinson, relies more on his athleticism and talent than basketball IQ to perform at a high level. He has a chance to improve on that on the professional level. Hill has the potential to be a role player who gives a team eight to 10 points a game when provided solid minutes. These three former Virginia Tech players now have the opportunity to make it in the NBA, and all of the Hokie faithful will be rooting for them. @CTSportsTalk ETHAN CANDELARIO / COLLEGIATE TIMES Former Hokies Nickeil Alexander-Walker (left) and Justin Robinson (right) pose for the cameras at the VT vs ODU game, Sept. 7, 2019.