WVU basketball fans are rather excited about the future of the program underneath current head coach Ross Hodge, and one particular incoming freshman who Hodge signed this offseason is a large contributing factor to that.
The Mountaineers are set to welcome freshman guard Miles Sadler, who is one to the top-rated point guards in the 2026 recruiting class and the highest-rated prospect ever signed by the program. And Hodge landing Sadler is both good news for the upcoming season, as he's projected to be an impact player immediately, but also shows he has the recruiting talents to bring elite athletes to Morgantown.
And that latter part is quite important, because while it is starting to look like Sadler might be a star in the making for the Mountaineers this winter, is also seems like he could easily be a one-and-done for the program.
Miles Sadler projected as potential first round NBA Draft talent
Sam Vecenie, who serves as an NBA senior writer for The Athletic, recently dropped his Way-Too-Early 2027 NBA Draft Board, and Sadler made an appearance on the list. Not only was he mentioned, but he was also ranked at No. 30 on the board – indicating a possibility he will be a first round draft selection next summer.
"I typically don't like small guards as an evaluator," Vecenie wrote. "It's exceptionally difficult to be Sadler's size and play in the NBA. But I think Sadler will be one of the five best freshmen in college basketball next season."
Despite the immediate sting of the thought that the program will only have Sadler for one season, this is actually quite good news for the Mountaineers. West Virginia has not had a first round NBA Draft talent in many years, and having such a palyer on your team can truly be a difference maker for a program.
Combined with the other top-notch talent the program has secured in the portal and alongside Sadler in the incoming freshman class, there is a strong likelihood that if Sadler lives up to all this hype, he can propel the Mountaineers to not just a return to the NCAA Tournament field, but a deep run in the Big Dance.
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