It is a busy time for recruiting across college football. With no dead periods in the month of June, teams across the country are scheduling as many visits as possible. The Virginia Tech Hokies are busy, too. On Sunday, the Hokies landed a recruit — but not on the gridiron.

Mike Young and the men’s basketball program landed their first recruit for 2026 on Sunday when Sin’Cere Jones announced his commitment to Virginia Tech.

The 6-foot-7, 195-pound Jones plays at Churchland High School in Portsmouth and, per 247Sports, is the No. 13 overall player in Virginia for 2026. He held nine offers, some of which included Mississippi State, VCU, ODU and Radford.

Jones visited Blacksburg recently.

What are the Hokies getting in Jones? Right now, Jones looks like a traditional wing with his height and slender frame. Jones has a good outside shot. It’s tough to get a good read on his ability in the post because he’s much better than most of the players around him.

It is difficult to say how much we should expect to see Jones contribute as a freshman because, with the way the transfer portal works in college basketball, one year is a long time away. The Hokies do have multiple seniors on their roster this upcoming season.

Welcome home, Sin’Cere.

BASKETBALL RECRUITING

Churchland High’s Sincere Jones gave Virginia Tech its first men’s basketball commitment from the class of 2025, according to his Instagram.

The 6-foot-7, 195-pound forward visited Virginia Tech last week. He said on zagsblog.com that he has scholarship offers from Virginia Tech, Old Dominion, Robert Morris, Manhattan, Mississippi State and VCU.

Jones is ranked the No. 43 overall power forward nationally and No. 13 player in Virginia, according to 247Sports.

WNBA

Knee surgery for Va. Beach’s Williams

Ten-year WNBA player Elizabeth Williams, who grew up in Virginia Beach, will undergo surgery for a torn meniscus she suffered June 6 while playing for the Chicago Sky against the Washington Mystics. She’ll be having surgery on her knee to repair it.

Williams was averaging 10 points, seven rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game through nine contests. She is in her second year with the Sky after starring for Princess Anne High and Duke, from where the Connecticut Sun chose her No. 4 overall in the 2015 WNBA draft. Williams played one year for the Sun, six for the Atlanta Dream and one for the Mystics before going to the Sky.

CHARLESTON, WV–As the first heat wave of 2024 sweeps across the nation, the West Virginia Emergency Management Division (WVEMD) urges everyone to learn and practice heat safety to stay safe and cool. With temperatures rising, it’s crucial for all populations, especially caregivers of and those in vulnerable groups (like infants, children, and adults over 65) to plan ahead.

“West Virginia is facing a significant heat wave for this time of year,” said WVEMD Director GE McCabe. “It’s very important that we all take precautions to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our pets. Stay hydrated, stay cool, and check on your neighbors.” 

Heat Safety Tips

1. Stay Hydrated – Drink lots of water, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Avoid sugary, caffeinated drinks and alcohol as they can cause dehydration. If you’re active, consider sports drinks to replace salts and minerals.
2. Keep Cool – Spend time in places with air conditioning. Malls, libraries, or cooling centers can be used to help.
   • Pets, children, and incapacitated adults should never be left in a parked car. If you see a pet, person, or child in a hot car, call 911 immediately.
   • If you don’t have air conditioning at home, use fans and take cool showers or baths.
   • When outdoors, wear loose, light-colored clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses.
3. Limit Outdoor Activities – Schedule outdoor activities for cooler parts of the day. Take frequent breaks in cool areas, avoid heavy meals, and stay out of direct sunlight.
   • Children and pets can be burned by hot pavement or sidewalks. Plan walks and play time for cooler hours of the day.
     • Check the sidewalk temperature by placing your hand on the surface for five seconds. If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for kids and pets.
   • Playground equipment also becomes quite hot. Check the surfaces before allowing kids to play.
   • Historically, the coolest parts of the day in West Virginia are before 9 a.m. and after 9 p.m. The hottest parts of the day are the hours between 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. when the sun is strongest.
4. Recognize Heat-Related Illnesses – Learn the symptoms of heat exhaustion (heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, dizziness, thirst) and heat stroke (throbbing headache, confusion, sweating may be reduced or absent) and seek immediate medical help if you or someone around you experiences these symptoms.
   • Muscle pain and cramping are often the first sign that your body is having trouble with the heat. If you experience muscle cramps, take a break and drink water or a sports drink. Find medical help if cramps last longer than one hour.
   • Check on elderly neighbors, kids, and pets often to ensure they’re well, hydrated, and cool.
5. Plan Ahead – Create an emergency kit with essential supplies including water and medications. Stay informed by monitoring local weather alerts and news updates.
   • The CDC’s HeatRisk Dashboard allows the user to enter their zip code and learn the heat risk and air quality for the week, in addition to tips to help you plan ahead.
   • If you need assistance finding a cooling center, please contact your county or local emergency management agency.