Virginia Basketball: Position-by-Position Breakdown of Cavaliers in 2014-15

The 2013-14 season will be remembered as the year the Virginia Cavaliers returned to national relevance in college basketball. 

The Cavs won the regular-season ACC title and the ACC Tournament, and they received a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. UVa defeated Duke, North Carolina, Syracuse and Pitt en route to one of the greatest seasons in school history.

The question now becomes, "Was it a one-year wonder, or is Virginia here to stay?"

All-ACC guard Joe Harris is now in the NBA, and Akil Mitchell, one of the best defenders in the country over the past few seasons, is gone, too. 

But the Cavaliers are loaded and have the talent in place to replace the two departed stars. 

Here is a position-by-position breakdown of the Cavs for the 2014-15 season. 

Power Forward

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Junior forward Anthony Gill

Power Forward

• Anthony Gill, 6'8", 230, JR.
• Darion Atkins, 6'8", 241, SR.
• Caid Kirven, 6'9", 226, JR.

Anthony Gill came off the bench for the majority of last season but was one of UVa's most important players. Gill averaged just less than nine points per game—third on the team—and four rebounds per contest. 

With Mitchell gone, Gill moves into the starting lineup and could blossom into an All-ACC performer. According to Sports Reference, Gill averaged more than 17 points per game last season per 40 minutes—first on the team. Gill also got to the free-throw line more frequently than any Cavalier last season. 

Behind Gill will be senior Darion Atkins. Atkins will likely remind many Virginia fans of Mitchell. He's not known for his offense but is lean, athletic and a strong defensive player. He should play a lot this season. 

Caid Kirven is a little-used former walk-on and a fan favorite. 

Small Forward

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Justin Anderson

Small Forward

• Justin Anderson, 6'6", 228, JR.
• Evan Nolte, 6'8", 224, JR.
• Isaiah Wilkins, 6'7", 224, FR.
• Jeff Jones, 6'6", 195, SO.

Justin Anderson is one of the most energetic and athletic players in the country. The ACC's top sixth man last season, Anderson is poised for an even bigger role 2014-15.

Anderson, who will also figure into the mix at shooting guard, is a relentless defender and a highlight-reel dunker. He made some big shots down the stretch for the Cavaliers last year and will be one of Virginia's top scorers this season.

Nolte is a deadly shooter when he gets opportunities. The 6'8" junior is one of the players head coach Tony Bennett believes will help replace Harris' production.

Wilkins is the son of former NBA player Gerald Wilkins and the nephew of the legendary Dominique Wilkins. While the wing positions are crowded, Wilkins could see time early as a freshman if he plays strong defense—a must for Bennett.  

Jones is the son of former Virginia great Jeff Jones and generally only sees time in blowouts. 

Center

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Mike Tobey

Center

• Mike Tobey, 7'0", 253, JR.
• Jack Salt, 6'11", 235, FR.

Junior Mike Tobey returns and the Cavaliers are expecting a breakout season for the 7-footer. An athletic big man with a nice touch, Tobey has struggled asserting himself at times over the past two seasons. 

When he looks for his shot, Tobey is tough to stop. An accurate shooter that can step out and hit 17-foot jump shots, Tobey needs to avoid foul trouble with Mitchell gone and only a true freshman behind him.

Jack Salt, a freshman from New Zealand, will be counted upon in 2014-15. The top backup to Tobey, Salt doesn't need to be a dominant scorer. He just needs to play strong defense and rebound well. 

Shooting Guard

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Malcolm Brogdon

Shooting Guard

• Malcolm Brogdon, 6'5", 215, JR.
• Marial Shayok, 6'5", 207, FR.
• B.J. Stith, 6'5", 205, FR.

After missing the 2012-13 season with a foot injury, Brogdon returned last season and was arguably Virginia's most important player. Brogdon is an excellent free-throw shooter, a strong three-point shooter and also was the team's second-best point guard last year. Brogdon can play either backcourt position with ease and will be looked upon to score more this season.

Behind Brogdon will be Anderson and a pair of true freshman.

Marial Shayok was a late addition to Virginia's recruiting class once Buzz Williams left Marquette for Virginia Tech. Shayok was a Marquette commit. 

Shayok is an athletic player that can defend four positions at the college level, and that type of versatility will help him see the floor early for the 'Hoos. 

Stith, a 4-star recruit and the son of UVa legend Bryant Stith, is a big-time scorer who could help Virginia this season. The biggest thing for Stith will be defense. If he shows he's a capable defender, he will play key minutes this season.

Stith is already an excellent shooter. 

Point Guard

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London Perrantes

Point Guard

• London Perrantes, 6'2", 191, SO.
• Devon Hall, 6'5", 203, FR.

Perrantes proved to be one of the nation's top pure point guards as a freshman last season. In fact, a big reason for UVa's return to prominence was the play of the true freshman from Los Angeles.

Perrantes shot 86 percent from the free-throw line and hit 44 percent of his three-point attempts. Perrantes had 140 assists last season versus just 40 turnovers. He hit several big shots late in the season to help put games away for the Cavaliers. 

Perrantes is also a good defender and the type of player opposing fans hate. He's good, knows he's good and never gets rattled. He is a future first-team All-ACC player.

Devon Hall also came to Charlottesville with Perrantes last season, but Bennett chose to redshirt him. It was a good decision for all involved as the 'Hoos didn't need Hall and allowed him a year to adjust to the college game while practicing with the team.

He will likely be eased into the lineup this season with Brogdon as Perrantes' primary backup—at least early in the season.