Johann Grunloh commits to Virginia Cavaliers

Virginia is in the middle of a roster rebuild for next season ahead of their debut year under Ryan Odom. The latest addition to it this morning is now one of their biggest yet from overseas.

Johann Grunloh, a top international prospect, has committed to play for the Cavaliers. That comes per reports by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony on Monday.

Johann Grunloh ranks as the 2nd-best shot-blocker in the German BBL, while hitting 32 3s in 28 games, an intriguing combination for a 19-year-old who also brings outstanding energy running the floor, crashing the glass, and switching on the perimeter with intensity and timing. https://t.co/94PZBeJBnb pic.twitter.com/iLvBAkDgvf

— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) April 28, 2025

“NEWS: German 7-footer Johann Grunloh has committed to Virginia, his club Rasta Vechta announced. Grunloh, a projected 2nd-round pick, is an elite shot-blocker who shot 35% for 3 this season,” Givony tweeted this morning. “Major pickup for Ryan Odom in one of the top internationals pursuing the college route.”

“Grunloh ranks as the 2nd-best shot-blocker in the German BBL, while hitting 32 3s in 28 games, an intriguing combination for a 19-year-old who also brings outstanding energy running the floor, crashing the glass, and switching on the perimeter with intensity and timing,” Givony posted in a highlight breakdown of Grunloh.

Grunloh, a native of Germany, has played the past four year for SC Rasta Vechta in a top league in the country in the Basketball Bundesliga. He has averaged 7.2 points (56.4% FG, 30.4% 3PT), 5.3 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game over the past two seasons with the club as a starter, including 8.3 points (47.2% FG, 35.7% 3PT), 5.7 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game this season. It’s of note that, on that team, Grunloh is playing alongside Jayden Gardner, who played for two seasons as a leading scorer and rebouder at UVA as a one-time selection as All-ACC. That roster also includes other notable former college players like Tyger Campbell (UCLA), Mike Bothwell (Furman), and Brandon Randolph (Arizona).

With that, Grunloh has earned professional interest as a possible pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. However, in deciding to attend college, he chose Virginia over other programs, including one like Indiana per Jeff Goodman at The Field of 68.

After an interim season under Ron Sanchez after the sudden retirement of Tony Bennett, Virginia hired Odom from VCU. That coaching change has since seen eleven transfers out of the program while this is now the fifth addition for the Cavaliers. UVA has also earned commitments from Dallin Hall (BYU), Jacari White (North Dakota State), Sam Lewis (Toledo), and Martin Carrere (VCU).

Virginia has more work to do as far as piecing together next year’s first roster for Odom. That said, this could be one of the biggest additions for it with Grunloh committing today to come to Charlottesville.