Cole Kastner is staying in the Atlantic Coast Conference next year. But he’s not playing at Virginia and he’s not playing lacrosse.

UVA’s 6’7″ All-American defenseman announced on social media on Wednesday evening that he will using his final year of eligibility to transfer to Stanford to play basketball for the 2024-2025 season.

A former high school basketball standout growing up in Palo Alto, California, it seemed the most likely outcome that Kastner would end up back home at Stanford when he entered the transfer portal last spring, looking to use his final year of eligibility to return to the sport of basketball. Kastner strongly considered the basketball route while he was at Menlo School, as he was a three-year starter on the basketball team and averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists and had 17 double-doubles in his senior season.

Kastner ultimately decided on lacrosse and wound up being a critical part of Virginia’s run to the National Championship in 2021 as a true freshman. Three years later, Kastner seems well on his way to another All-ACC and All-American season leading the Cavalier defense. Kastner was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2022 and was an All-American and All-ACC selection in both 2022 and 2023. This year, Kastner joined teammate Connor Shellenberger on the list of 25 nominees for the 2024 Tewaaraton Award.

For his career, Kastner currently has 64 games played, 48 starts, four goals, two assists, 113 ground balls, and 83 caused turnovers. And those numbers will continue to grow as Kastner looks to bookend his career with another national title.

But no matter how this season ends, it will be his final spring at the University of Virginia, as Kastner is now officially headed back home to Palo Alto, where he’ll look to revive his basketball career.

In an interesting byproduct of conference realignment, Kastner will play against the Virginia men’s basketball team next season, as the Cavaliers will make the cross-country trip to face the Stanford Cardinal in their first season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. Kastner became the first transfer to commit to Kyle Smith, who became the new head coach at Stanford last month after spending the previous five seasons at Washington State, where Tony Bennett previously coached.

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – The American Red Cross of Central Virginia is recognizing nearly a dozen people for their work. It held its “Help Can’t Wait 2024: Celebration of Heroes” event on Wednesday, April 24, 2024.

The event honors heroes who have saved a life, performed an act of courage, or served and provided leadership in the community.

One of the recipients is Curt Bean. He was honored with the Services to the Armed Forces Hero for his work with Guitars for Vets. It gives veterans free music lessons and guitars.

“By learning to play the music, it helps not only the veteran but the family. And music uses a different side of the brain than PTSD does,” said Recipient of the Services to the Armed Forces Hero Award, Curt Bean.

As a veteran himself, Curt received his award for the impact he brings to the military community in Charlottesville.

“Curt had several nominations. He is an amazing man. We’re just so happy to honor him today. He’s actually got three tables of supporters here to you know, just celebrate the good work that he does with the military that trends in the community,” said Board Member of the American Red Cross Central Virginia Chapter, Catherine Chapman.

From helping veterans to saving an elderly lady’s life in a sinking car.

Nine people were recognized for their acts of courage.

“We have three lifeguards that actually saved the life of an elderly woman whose car was submerged. And so it’s so exciting to have young people that have really stepped up to the plate to serve their fellow man and to honor them,” said Chapman.

All funds raised from the event go back to the American Red Cross.

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Copyright 2024 WVIR. All rights reserved.

HANOVER COUNTY, Va. — A Glen Allen teenager was killed in a Tuesday afternoon crash on Interstate 295 in Hanover County, Virginia, according to Virginia State Police.

“A 2016 Honda Accord was driving southbound on I-295 when it ran off the road to the left and struck an overpass head-on,” a Virginia State Police spokesperson. “The driver of the Accord, Ethan A. Shelton, 19, of Glen Allen, Va., died at the scene. Shelton was not wearing a seatbelt.”

The crash was reported at about 12:20 p.m. on April 23, 2024, on Interstate 295 south at the 40-mile marker near Pole Green Road.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Anyone with information can share with the CBS 6 Newsroom.