Indeed, Brogdon has improved his game enough to be mentioned as a potential second-round pick on some N.B.A. mock drafts. But he is not going anywhere. Brogdon, whose mother is a psychology professor at Morehouse College and whose father is a lawyer and a mediator, chose Virginia over Harvard out of high school. And he has already decided to return next season even if he has an N.B.A. future.

He said he was focused on earning his master’s degree. Besides, there is still work to be done in building Virginia into a program that can be mentioned alongside Duke and North Carolina in the A.C.C. every year.

Asked whether the Cavaliers were there yet, Brogdon said: “I’m not sure about that. I think we are a team that can always be competitive due to our style of play, the type of defense we play. And I think over the years Virginia will continue to get stronger and stronger with Coach Bennett as the coach and him getting better and better talent. I think that’s how it will work.”

It is already happening. Bennett said his team’s improved performance had helped him sell his program to more talented recruits. Although his defense-first style depends on players staying long enough to learn his system thoroughly, he said he would consider one-and-done, top-level talent. And now some of those elite players might consider a program like Virginia, too.

“Would I take a one-and-done?” Bennett said. “If there was one that was interesting in coming, sure, but I wouldn’t build a whole team full of them.”

By the time Brogdon leaves Virginia for his shot at the N.B.A., he might wind up helping the Cavaliers win not only titles but also the kind of recruits who define premier programs like Duke. In the process, however, it may become harder for student-athletes like him to have a chance to play substantial roles at programs like Virginia.

“I think it could,” he said. “But I also think Coach Bennett is a guy that loves guys that stay in the program and that he can see mature and he can really develop. I think that’s what the system thrives on. I think that’s what will make it a very good competitive program down the road, is getting that.

“One-and-dones would be great, but guys that stay and mature, who work their way up, are also great.”