COMMITMENT: Virginia basketball Beats Top Prominent Programs To Lands Key 2025 High-Star 5-foot-9 Talent

Chance Mallory has officially decided to stay in his hometown and will be joining the Virginia Cavaliers in 2025. He announced his commitment to Tony Bennett and the University of Virginia on Friday, opting for UVA over offers from Virginia Tech, Clemson, Miami (FL), Tennessee, and Villanova.

Mallory is regarded as one of the top point guards in the 2025 class. According to 247sports.com, he ranks as the No. 3 player in Virginia, the No. 7 point guard in the nation, and the No. 57 overall player.

Coming from Saint Anne’s-Belfield (STAB) High School, Mallory has been a highly regarded prospect and a prime target for Virginia for several years. During his junior year, he averaged 26 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game.

Standing at 5-foot-9, Mallory may be considered undersized, but few can match his skills on the court. He handles the ball with confidence, possesses range, has a quick shooting release, and showcases a variety of finishing moves around the basket. This summer, he shot 45% from the field, 38% from three-point range, and an impressive 90% from the free-throw line (thank goodness for that!).

Mallory is a proven scorer capable of making plays at every level. He has a smooth playing style, maintains control, and uses changes in speed and direction to create space for himself. While there will likely be an adjustment period as he faces the size and strength of ACC basketball, his skills should allow him to adapt effectively.

UVA fans are likely to compare Mallory to Kihei Clark. Though both are shorter point guards, Mallory is a distinctly different player. He is a more dynamic scorer than Clark, releases his shot more quickly, and can sink three-pointers from deep range, like from STAB, all the way into JPJ. However, he will need to improve his defensive skills, particularly in applying ball pressure, much like Clark did during his time at UVA.

It seems that Tony Bennett and his staff made a compelling pitch to Mallory during his official visit to Virginia last weekend, as he immediately canceled all other visits and chose to stay home shortly after.

Mallory marks the first commitment for UVA’s 2025 recruiting class, addressing a vital need for a future point guard in the program’s plans.

The Cavaliers will now focus on securing a forward to complete the class, with top prospects like Nate Ament (ranked No. 4 in 2025), Cam Ward (ranked No. 50), and Tre Singleton (ranked No. 84, who is set to visit Charlottesville this weekend) being key names to follow.

For now, Mallory is an exciting addition. The local talent is following in the footsteps of fellow STAB alum and Virginia point guard Kymora Johnson by choosing to stay close to home. He’s bound to become a fan favorite in orange and blue and could play a crucial role in guiding the ‘Hoos back to national prominence.