BLACKSBURG — Virginia Tech has added a trio of transfers, Mekhi Long, Tyler Nickel and Robbie Beran, to its 2023-24 roster as announced by head coach Mike Young, Monday.
The three newcomers have signed scholarship agreements and will be on campus beginning with summer workouts in May.
Mekhi Long
6-7 | 200 lbs. | Forward
Bryans Road, Md.
Old Dominion
Bishop McNamara
Long comes to Blacksburg after three seasons at Old Dominion. He played his freshman season at Rhode Island. As a senior for the Monarchs, Long averaged 10.7 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. The Bryans Road, Md., native registered 11 double-doubles on the season, including nine in Sun Belt play to lead the league.
The 6-foot-7 wing started in 29 of ODU's 30 games in 2022-23. Long chalked up 10 points and 11 rebounds in the Monarchs' 75-71 loss to the Hokies on Nov. 17. The fifth-year standout has amassed 770 points, 613 rebounds and 100 assists in his career.
Coach Webster on Long
Mekhi is a double-double machine. He led the Sun Belt in double-doubles and his versatility, defensively and on the glass, will give us a huge shot in the arm. He's a high character guy that will fit in seamlessly.
Tyler Nickel
6-7 | 220 lbs. | Guard/Forward
Harrisonburg, Va.
North Carolina
East Rockingham
Nickel, a former four-star recruit out of high school, returns to the Commonwealth after spending his freshman season at ACC foe North Carolina. As a freshman for the Tar Heels, Nickel averaged 2.1 points in 25 games. He scored a season-high 16 points (all in the second half) vs. The Citadel. Nickel tallied eight points in a season-high 25 minutes against the Hokies on Dec. 4.
The Harrisonburg, Va., native set the Virginia High School League scoring record of 2,909 points in 102 career games at East Rockingham. He was the 2022 VHSL Class AA Player of the Year, a four-time region and district player of the year and four-time first-team all-state, all-region and all-district.
Nickel led East Rockingham to an 87-15 record and state tournament appearances each year, with runner-up finishes in 2020 and 2022. He became the first player from East Rockingham to play at a Division I school.
Coach Webster on Nickel
We are so happy to have Tyler coming back to the commonwealth of Virginia where he holds the VHSL scoring record. He's a big wing that obviously is a big-time scorer from all over the court. Tyler will bring a tremendous work ethic to Blacksburg.
Robbie Beran
6-9 | 215 lbs. | Forward
Richmond, Va.
Northwestern
Collegiate School
Beran, who was recruited by each member of Tech's current coaching staff out of high school, will play his fifth year for the Hokies after four seasons at Northwestern. The Richmond, Va., native started 100 of his 120 career games with the Wildcats, while racking up 744 career points and 454 career rebounds.
Coming off a 15-16 record in 2021-22, Beran spurred Northwestern to an impressive turnaround last season, going 22-12 and advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament. As a senior, Beran averaged 7.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game.
Beran is a 41.2% shooter from the floor in his career, including a 36.1% clip from beyond the arc. Nearly 50% of his career field goal attempts are from long range.
Coach Webster on Beran
Robbie is another Virginia kid that can stretch the floor from the forward spot. He helped lead Northwestern to its second-ever NCAA tournament appearance. Robbie will bring a wealth of experience from four years in the Big Ten to the ACC.
