There’s no better time than after a demoralizing Virginia football loss to start looking ahead to Virginia basketball season. And with just over a month until tip-off — though we’ll be getting our first taste of UVA hoops this Sunday when the ’Hoos take on Vanderbilt in a first-of-its-kind outdoor exhibition game — Streaking the Lawn will be previewing each and every Cavalier in the lead-up to the 2026-27 season.
We began with Chance Mallory, who will be jumping into the starting point guard role this season. But today, it’s time to take a look at what to expect from Christian Harmon, one of four transfer portal additions joining Virginia for year two of the Ryan Odom era.
Scouting Report
A 6-foot-6 wing from Rochester, New York, fourth-year transfer Christian Harmon comes to Virginia from Arkansas State, where he earned All-Sun Belt Third Team honors in 2025-26. Harmon, who began his collegiate career at Gulf Coast State, a junior college in Florida, averaged a team-high 12.8 points per game last season for the Red Wolves while shooting 39.1% from the floor and 34.6% from beyond the arc.
Though his three-point percentage in 2025-26 wasn’t otherworldly, Harmon’s shooting prowess is the headline of his offensive game. His 34.6% clip at Arkansas State was hampered by a 2-for-26 cold streak to start the season, but he shot 47% from deep over two seasons at the JUCO level. Additionally, Harmon’s 7.6 three-point attempts per game last season were indicative of an offensive system at Arkansas State that relied on him to carry the load on a nightly basis. He should have plenty more open looks at Virginia.
Beyond his shooting ability, Harmon’s long, physical frame lets him get downhill and attack the basket when needed. He’s also a skilled playmaker, averaging 2.5 assists per game last season with a 16% assist rate. His unique combination of offensive skills made him one of just seven players in the transfer portal this offseason with 60+ made threes, a 16+% assist rate, and a 2.5+ adjusted plus/minus (another new ’Hoo, Jurian Dixon, joined Harmon on the list).
Defensively, Harmon didn’t stand out at Arkansas State, but his size and athleticism won’t prohibit him from checking ACC competition. He averaged just under one steal per game last season.
The Fit
Ryan Odom knows exactly what he’s looking for in the transfer portal, and he hasn’t been shy about adding effective, high-volume mid-major shooters. That strategy worked beautifully with Jacari White and Sam Lewis last season. On paper, Harmon is another perfect fit for Virginia’s new offensive system, which relies on players who can both knock down shots from beyond the arc and set up their teammates.
At 6-foot-6, Harmon has a high, quick release that should immediately translate to power-conference competition. Against Arkansas State’s two best opponents last season, Harmon had 16 points against SMU and 21 points against St. Mary’s.
Harmon should also have plenty of room for continued development. An unheralded high school prospect, the Rochester native has quickly ascended from junior college standout to mid-major bucket-getter to earning a spot in the ACC at Virginia. His game has taken significant strides each year in college, and Odom hopes to keep tapping into Harmon’s potential as he moves up to a higher level of competition.
Projected Role
À la Jacari White, Harmon has an element of streakiness in his game that should make him a perfect spark plug off the bench for Virginia this season. Harmon’s lows — a 2-for-26 stretch from three-point range to begin last season and a 10-for-35 stretch in his final five games — will probably keep him out of the starting lineup. But the highs — nine made threes against South Alabama and seven made threes against Louisiana Monroe — were certainly Jacari-esque.
The ’Hoos have plenty of depth on the wing in the form of Sam Lewis, Nolan Adekunle, and Jurian Dixon, which should come as a benefit for Harmon. Though he is expected to be an important piece for Virginia, the Arkansas State transfer shouldn’t face too much pressure to hit the ground running from game one.
Nevertheless, with a unique combination of length and shooting prowess that seems to be uniquely suited for the Odom offense, Harmon is an exciting piece with the potential to be an X-factor and a key sixth- or seventh-man for the ’Hoos. Don’t be surprised when a Harmon three-point barrage pushes UVA over the top in a handful of contests this winter.
