Mallory decommits from UVA, but will still consider Cavaliers

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia’s lone commitment to the recruiting class of 2025, point guard Chance Mallory, has decommitted and plans to re-open his recruitment.

Mallory, a highly coveted, homegrown, 4-star prospect, is a rising senior at St. Anne’s-Belfield who committed to Virginia in late September, choosing the Cavaliers over Tennessee, Miami, Villanova, Clemson and Virginia Tech. Mallory is one of the top 50 prospects in the nation for the recruiting class of ‘25.

While Mallory said that he has decommitted, he also said that he will still consider Virginia in the process. He did not set a timetable for his recruitment, but the early signing period is next month.

Mallory’s announcement was the second blow to the UVA program on Tuesday. Earlier in the day, Florida State transfer point guard Jalen Warley announced he had left the program and will enter the transfer portal only eight days before the Cavaliers season opener (see related story on this site).

Certainly one of the main hooks for Mallory’s decision to commit to Virginia was to play for Tony Bennett. Bennett shocked the basketball world less that two weeks ago when he announced his sudden decision to retire from coaching, turning over the program to associate head coach Ron Sanchez.

Mallory told JerryRatcliffe.com last month that choosing Virginia was a difficult decision in one aspect, but not so much in another.

“It was a very difficult decision for me and my family,” Mallory said. “Choosing from such great schools was probably one of the hardest decisions in my life.”

However, he always harbored fantasies of playing for his hometown school and for Bennett.

“I have known Coach Bennett for a long time and the relationship that we have built along the years was a big factor in my decision,” the 5-foot-9 guard said. “Being able to play for him is a dream come true.”