UVA Basketball: Thijs de Ridder being groomed to be the go-to guy on offense

Thijs de Ridder generated pre-NBA Draft attention last spring due to his strong performance with Surne Bilbao Basket in Spain's Liga ACB, where he averaged 10.1 points and 5.0 rebounds per game in 21.9 minutes, shooting 53.3% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range.

NBA scouts advised de Ridder to play a season against top U.S. college prospects for better comparison, leading him to join the University of Virginia. He expressed his motivation to improve and pursue his NBA dream, making his debut with 21 points and 10 rebounds in 24 minutes during a 87-53 win over Rider, showcasing efficient shooting with 10-of-14 from the floor.

Virginia's first-year coach Ryan Odom emphasized intentionally getting de Ridder involved in the game, noting his adjustment from not being the go-to player overseas. Odom praised de Ridder's ability to score, draw fouls, and pass out of double-teams, though de Ridder acknowledged needing to adapt to different foul rules in the U.S., as he committed four fouls in his debut.

De Ridder highlighted the differences in gameplay between Spain and the U.S., describing the American college style as faster and more energetic due to younger players, contrasting with the more controlled pace in Spain. He reflected on his solid overall performance in his first game and aims to consistently contribute to team wins while working on defensive improvements.