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VCU’s ‘Bones’ Hyland leaves to enter NBA draft; 3 new players arriving

Fred Jeter | 4/22/2021, 6 p.m.
In college basketball, they come and they go. The exit sign and the welcome mat are never far apart.
Nah’Shon Hyland

In college basketball, they come and they go. The exit sign and the welcome mat are never far apart.

About the same time last week that Virginia Commonwealth University sensation Nah’Shon “Bones” Hyland signaled “goodbye” to the Rams, three touted newcomers said “hello.”

Hyland, the reigning Atlantic-10 Conference Player of the Year, announced he is trading in room, board and tuition for a chance to play pro ball, preferably in the NBA.

The 2021 NBA draft will be held July 29 in Brooklyn, N.Y. Projections vary wildly regarding Hyland’s NBA stock, but a high second round pick seems to be the consensus.

The wiry 6-foot-3 guard from Wilmington, Del., averaged 19.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.9 steals this past season, spurring the Rams to a 19-7 record.

Listed as a sophomore in 2020-21, Hyland would have had three more seasons of eligibility with the NCAA’s decision to give all players a “free year” because of the pandemic.

It didn’t take long for the basketball world to take notice of the exit. Hyland already has his own Wikipedia page.

Hyland’s exciting play will be missed at VCU. However, Coach Mike Rhoades is making sure there won’t be a scarcity of athletes wearing the black and gold in 2021-22.

Two high NCAA Division I transfers and a promising freshman announced their decisions to bring their jump shots to the Siegel Center.

The first to commit was 6-foot-8 Jimmy Nichols from Providence College in Rhode Island. A native of Conway, S.C., Nichols averaged 6.1 points and 2.4 rebounds, starting 18 of 3 games for the Big East Conference Friars.

Next to say he is headed to VCU was 6-foot-3 Marcus Tsohonis, who averaged 9.1 points and 3 rebounds last season for the University of Washington. Tsohonis played an average of 26.8 minutes per game for the Pacific 12 Conference Huskies.

Capping a whirlwind few days, VCU also received a commitment from incoming freshman Jayden Nunn. The 6-foot-4 guard from Flint, Mich., initially committed to Iowa State University, but changed his mind after a coaching change at the Big 12 school.

In addition to Hyland, the Rams will be missing 7-foot-1 Brendan Medley-Bacon who played sparingly this past season after transferring from Coppin State University. Medley-Bacon now will transfer to McNeese State University in Louisiana.

Still to be determined is whether Corey Douglas and Levi Stockard, listed as seniors this past season, will return for another season. Both would have the option based on the NCAA one-time pandemic regulations. They would not be counted against the NCAA’s limit of 13 scholarships.

The last Ram to be drafted into the NBA was Larry Sanders, who left VCU after his junior year in 2010. Sanders was the 15th overall pick by the Milwaukee Bucks.

The Sanders story goes to show you never know. Without the 6-foot-11 center, the Rams went to the NCAA Final Four the next season.