By Jerry Ratcliffe

Wahoo Nation is celebrating this morning after three prominent UVA men’s basketball players announced they will return to the Cavaliers for the 2026-27 season.

Thijs De Ridder, Johann Grunloh and Chance Mallory all recorded videos proclaiming they will be back. Sam Lewis did not record a video but declared after Virginia’s season-ending loss to Tennessee in the NCAA Tournament that he would return.

Monday night, “The Field of 68,” one of the leading online college basketball authorities, published its “Way Too Early Top 25” for next season. Virginia was ranked No. 9 in the country.

To read the rest of this article and even more award-winning coverage on the UVA athletics department, including its nationally-ranked football and basketball programs, be sure to subscribe to “Cavalier Exclusive” to follow all of Virginia Sports Hall Of Famer Jerry “Hootie” Ratcliffe’s analysis and content. It’s the best in the business for Wahoo Fans!

   Navigating: Basketball

Virginia names Richmond’s Aaron Roussell as women’s head coach

(updated )

Aaron Roussell, who won 70 percent of his games during the past seven seasons at Richmond, is Virginia’s new head basketball coach.

Virginia’s pitbull, Chance Mallory, said he is returning

(updated )

Chance Mallory returns to Virginia, strengthening a talented core for next season’s run.