The Euro Twin Towers: How UVA’s Belgian LeBron and German Giant Are Reshaping the Paint Under Ryan Odom

🔹 A Tale of Two Styles That Fit Together Perfectly

De Ridder and Grünloh are opposites in many ways, but that’s exactly why their pairing works.

De Ridder is a do-it-all forward with a motor that never quits. He can score in the post, push the break, shoot from deep, and even facilitate offense—earning him the “Belgian LeBron” moniker for his versatility and leadership. He arrives in Charlottesville after starring for Surne Bilbao Basket in Spain’s Liga ACB, one of the best pro leagues in the world. There, he averaged 9.3 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, shooting nearly 39% from three.

Grünloh, on the other hand, is a true 7-footer who makes his presence felt with shot-blocking, rebounding, and interior defense. A product of RASTA Vechta in Germany, he’s already been scouted by NBA circles thanks to his combination of length, mobility, and a developing outside shot. Despite his size, Grünloh runs the floor well and has shown flashes of pick-and-pop range—critical in Odom’s spread-out system.

Where De Ridder brings fire and flair, Grünloh brings calm and control. Together, they’re a towering duo with an elite basketball IQ and the skill to adapt to any matchup. Call them what you want—The Euro Twin Towers, The Import Blockade, or just a massive problem for opposing frontcourts—they’re coming, and they’re coming fast.

🔹 Physical Presence With European Touch

Both De Ridder and Grünloh offer something that’s hard to find in the same frontcourt: brute strength with polished touch.

De Ridder plays with a bruiser’s mentality—setting hard screens, attacking the rim, and drawing contact—but he also has a soft touch around the basket and a reliable outside stroke. He’s the type of player who can bang with ACC bigs and then knock down a corner three or lead a fast break.

Grünloh, despite being a rim protector first, has shown remarkable footwork and court vision. His ability to alter shots without fouling and stretch defenses with the occasional three-pointer makes him ideal for modern basketball. He’s not going to be sprinting up the court like a guard, but he will finish plays in transition and anchor a defense in the halfcourt.

🔹 Odom’s European Blueprint

This isn’t a fluke—it’s part of a deliberate strategy from Ryan Odom. The new Virginia coach has a track record of success with international players from his time at Utah State and VCU, and he’s made it clear: UVA will be a global brand on the recruiting trail.

Odom has said he’s drawn to the maturity, skill level, and coachability of European players. And with De Ridder and Grünloh, he didn’t just go overseas—he landed two of the most accomplished young bigs in Europe.

These aren’t projects. These are plug-and-play pros who just happen to be “freshmen” on the roster. De Ridder’s eligibility is still being finalized due to his professional experience, but he’s expected to be cleared soon. Grünloh is already on campus, practicing, and adapting quickly to life in Charlottesville.

🔹 The Frontcourt of the Future

With De Ridder, Grünloh, Ugonna Onyenso, and Carter Lang in the mix, UVA suddenly has one of the deepest and most versatile frontcourts in the ACC. And unlike in years past, this group wants to run.

Odom’s system isn’t about grinding out 50–48 slugfests. It’s built on tempo, spacing, and skill—precisely the things De Ridder and Grünloh were brought in to deliver.

So as fall approaches and the Cavalier faithful file into John Paul Jones Arena, keep your eyes on two names: De Ridder and Grünloh. One is the Belgian LeBron. The other, the German Giant. Together, they’re The Euro Twin Towers—and they just might be the foundation for a new era of UVA basketball.

Go Hoos!