Reece Beekman
North Carolina forward Puff Johnson (14) and Virginia forward Jayden Gardner (1) collide during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Virginia Cavaliers at North Carolina Tar Heels 2/25/2023

Feb. 25, 2023 08:22 PM EST

North Carolina State's Terquavion Smith (0) shoots between Virginia's Reece Beekman (2) and Ben Vander Plas (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)
North Carolina State Wolfpack at Virginia Cavaliers 2/7/2023

Feb. 07, 2023 11:26 PM EST

North Carolina State's Terquavion Smith (0) shoots between Virginia's Reece Beekman (2) and Ben Vander Plas (5) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)
Gardner, Beekman lift No. 8 Virginia past No. 22 N.C. State

By Hank Kurz Jr. Feb. 07, 2023 11:25 PM EST

Boston College's T.J. Bickerstaff (1) fights for a basket against Virginia's Kadin Shedrick (21) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)
Boston College Eagles at Virginia Cavaliers 1/28/2023

Jan. 28, 2023 01:04 PM EST

Virginia forward Jayden Gardner (1) misses a layup as he is defended by Florida State forward Cameron Corhen (3) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Phil Sears)
Virginia Cavaliers at Florida State Seminoles 1/14/2023

Jan. 14, 2023 06:12 PM EST

Virginia guard Isaac McKneely drives against Georgia Tech guard Dallan Coleman during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Hakim Wright Sr.)
Virginia Cavaliers at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 12/31/2022

Dec. 31, 2022 02:12 PM EST

Virginia's Kihei Clark (0) celebrates after a basket against Albany during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Charlottesville, Va., Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2022. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)
Franklin, Gardner lead No. 13 Virginia past Albany 66-46

By Hank Kurz Jr. Dec. 28, 2022 08:23 PM EST

Virginia guard Kihei Clark (0) shoots against James Madison during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Erin Edgerton)
Clark, Gardner lift No. 3 Virginia past James Madison, 55-50

By Hank Kurz Jr. Dec. 06, 2022 10:37 PM EST

James Madison forward Mezie Offurum (13) works against Virginia forward Jayden Gardner (1) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Charlottesville, Va., Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Erin Edgerton)
James Madison Dukes at Virginia Cavaliers 12/6/2022

Dec. 06, 2022 09:06 PM EST

Virginia's Jayden Gardner (1) commits a foul against Florida during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Charlottesville, Va., Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)
Clark's 18 lift No. 3 Virginia past Florida St in ACC opener

By Hank Kurz Jr. Dec. 03, 2022 04:31 PM EST

Virginia forward Jayden Gardner (1) blocks Michigan guard Jett Howard's (13) shot in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Virginia's depth helping its rapid climb in the AP Top 25

By Hank Kurz Jr. Dec. 01, 2022 12:16 PM EST

Michigan guard Dug McDaniel (0) reacts to a play against Michigan in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Tuesday, Nov. 29, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Gardner, No. 3 Virginia rally for 70-68 win at Michigan

By Larry Lage Nov. 30, 2022 12:07 AM EST

Virginia players celebrate after defeating Illinois in an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
AP Top 25: Virginia climbs to No. 5, UNC and Houston are 1-2

By John Marshall Nov. 21, 2022 12:00 PM EST

Virginia's Jayden Gardner (1) celebrates after Virginia defeated Illinois in an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
No. 16 Virginia beats No. 19 Illinois to cap emotional week

By Mark Anderson Nov. 20, 2022 05:52 PM EST

1Baylor forward Jalen Bridges (11) blocks the shot of Virginia guard Reece Beekman (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chase Stevens)
With heavy hearts, No. 16 UVA beats No. 5 Baylor in Vegas

By Mark Anderson Nov. 18, 2022 09:40 PM EST

Virginia's Kadin Shedrick (21) dunks the ball against Monmouth during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Charlottesville, Va., Friday, Nov. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)
Freshmen lead No. 18 Virginia in rout of Monmouth, 89-42

By Hank Kurz Jr. Nov. 11, 2022 11:09 PM EST

Virginia forward Jayden Gardner (1) is fouled on the way to the basket during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against North Carolina Central in Charlottesville, Va., Monday, Nov. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Mike Kropf)
Clark, Beekman spark No. 18 Virginia past NC Central 73-61

By Hank Kurz Jr. Nov. 07, 2022 11:19 PM EST

FILE - Virginia forward Jayden Gardner (1) moves around Pittsburgh forward Mouhamadou Gueye (15) during an NCAA college basketball game in Charlottesville, Va., Dec. 3, 2021. The Cavaliers start the season ranked 18th and received the second-most first place votes in Atlantic Coast Conference preseason prognostications by the media, thanks in large part to the returns of fifth-year leader and point guard Kihei Clark (10.0 ppg) and bruising forward Gardner, their leader in scoring and rebounding. (AP Photo/Andrew Shurtleff, File)
Experience abounds as Virginia looks to contend again in ACC

By Hank Kurz Jr. Oct. 19, 2022 11:43 AM EDT

Franklin leads Virginia to OT win over North Texas in NIT

Mar. 20, 2022 09:36 PM EDT
DENTON, Texas (AP) — Armaan Franklin sank three 3-pointers in overtime and scored 17, sparking Virginia to a 71-69 victory over North Texas in NIT second-round...

North Carolina's Brady Manek (45) dunks over Virginia's Kody Stattmann (23) in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game during quarterfinals of the Atlantic Coast Conference men's tournament, Thursday, March 10, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
No. 25 UNC cruises past Virginia 63-43 into ACC semifinals

By Ralph D. Russo Mar. 10, 2022 11:40 PM EST