### Former Duke Forward TJ Power Commits to Virginia: A Second-Chance Story in the Transfer Portal
**Charlottesville, VA – May 6, 2024** – In a move that sent ripples through the ACC basketball landscape, former Duke Blue Devils forward TJ Power announced his commitment to the University of Virginia Cavaliers on Monday evening. The 6’9″ sharpshooter from Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, who entered the transfer portal on April 18 after a limited freshman season in Durham, chose Tony Bennett’s program over several other suitors, including Wake Forest and Boston College. Power’s decision marks a full-circle moment: Virginia was the runner-up in his high school recruitment before he initially picked Duke in September 2022.
Power, a former five-star recruit ranked as high as No. 17 overall in the Class of 2023 by 247Sports, posted a simple yet emphatic message on social media: “LETS DO IT #GoHoos,” accompanied by a graphic confirming his pledge to UVA. The commitment came just two days after Virginia landed Florida State transfer guard Jalen Warley, signaling an aggressive roster rebuild for the Cavaliers following a disappointing 2023-24 campaign that saw them miss the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2013.
For Virginia fans, Power’s arrival feels like redemption. During his high school days at Worcester Academy, where he led the team to back-to-back NEPSAC Class AA championships, Power was a top target for Bennett and his staff. He took an official visit to Charlottesville in May 2022 and raved about the experience, telling reporters, “I think the campus is beautiful and I had a great experience with Coach [Tony] Bennett. I got to spend a lot of time with him. It was just me and him in the car when we were on campus and wherever we went.” Despite that connection, Power’s rising stock—fueled by elite shooting displays on the EYBL circuit—attracted blue-blood programs, and he ultimately committed to Duke under then-new head coach Jon Scheyer.
At Duke, however, Power’s freshman year was underwhelming by his lofty standards. Appearing in 26 games off the bench, he averaged just 2.1 points and 0.8 rebounds in 6.7 minutes per contest. His perimeter touch showed flashes—he shot 35.7% from three on limited attempts—but a loaded Blue Devils roster, featuring veterans and an incoming top-ranked recruiting class headlined by Cooper Flagg, left little room for development. Power did not play in Duke’s Sweet 16 win over Houston or its Elite Eight loss to NC State, underscoring his marginal role.
Entering the portal, Power quickly became one of the most intriguing names available. His combination of size, skill, and untapped potential drew interest from across the ACC and beyond. He took unofficial visits to Wake Forest and Boston College, his hometown option, and reportedly fielded calls from Notre Dame, Virginia Tech, and others. Yet, Virginia emerged as the frontrunner, leveraging the pre-existing relationship with Bennett. Notably, Power did not need an in-person visit this time around; a Zoom call sufficed, a testament to the foundation built years earlier.
“TJ is a great piece to add to any program with his versatility and his ability to make shots on the perimeter,” said 247Sports national analyst Travis Branham. “He’s tough, versatile, skilled, has a high IQ, is a plus-rebounder.” Those traits align perfectly with Bennett’s system, which has historically thrived with stretch forwards who space the floor and buy into pack-line defense. Comparisons to former UVA standout Sam Hauser—a deadly shooter who transferred from Marquette and became a key piece in Virginia’s 2019 national championship run—have already surfaced.
Power fills a glaring need for the Cavaliers. With Ryan Dunn declaring for the NBA Draft, Leon Bond transferring to Northern Iowa, and graduates Jordan Minor and Jake Groves departing, UVA’s frontcourt was depleted. Power, with three years of eligibility remaining, projects as an immediate starter at the power forward spot. He joins Warley and incoming freshman Jacob Cofie as key additions, giving Bennett a blend of experience, athleticism, and shooting to address last season’s offensive woes—Virginia ranked outside the top 300 nationally in adjusted offensive efficiency per KenPom.
The commitment is more than just a roster fit; it’s a statement. In an era where the transfer portal has democratized college basketball, Bennett landing a former top-20 recruit who spurned him once before highlights the enduring appeal of UVA’s culture. Power becomes the highest-ranked high school prospect to ever play for Bennett at Virginia (surpassing players like Mamadi Diakite and De’Andre Hunter in composite rankings), potentially quieting critics who questioned the program’s ability to attract elite talent post-championship.
Reactions poured in swiftly. Duke fans expressed mixed emotions—some disappointment at losing a promising player so quickly, others understanding given the logjam. “Power is undoubtedly an extremely adept 3-point shooter whose performances are due to pick up with increased playing time,” noted The Chronicle, Duke’s student newspaper. Meanwhile, UVA message boards lit up with optimism. “This is huge,” one fan posted on TheSabre.com. “TJ was our guy the first time around. Welcome home!”
Power’s path echoes other successful Virginia transfers: Anthony Gill (South Carolina to UVA), Braxton Key (Alabama), and Hauser all arrived as underutilized talents and left as pros. If Power follows suit, he could be the spark that returns the Cavaliers to contention in a loaded ACC featuring powers like Duke, North Carolina, and newcomers like SMU, Cal, and Stanford.
As the 2024-25 season approaches, all eyes will be on how quickly Power adapts to Bennett’s deliberate pace and defensive demands. Early projections have him as a double-digit scorer, leveraging his mid-post touch, passing vision, and elite shooting (he was a 40%+ three-point marksman in high school). Virginia’s schedule includes intriguing matchups, including a home game against Duke, where Power will face his former teammates.
In the end, TJ Power’s commitment isn’t just about basketball—it’s a narrative of patience, relationships, and second chances. What Duke couldn’t unlock in one year, Virginia hopes to cultivate over the next three. For a program seeking to reclaim its identity after a turbulent offseason, Power represents hope: a five-star talent ready to prove his best basketball is still ahead.
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