UVA basketball recruiting: Full list of commits set to join Ryan Odom's Cavaliers ft. Chance Mallory

The Virginia Cavaliers look to bounce back from a so-so 2024-25 season where they finished 15-17 (8-12 in ACC) under interim coach Ron Sanchez.

After losing to Georgia Tech in the first round of the ACC Tournament, Virginia parted ways with Sanchez. The Cavaliers hired VCU coach Ryan Odom, intending to bring them back atop the ACC and secure a berth in the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

Odom and his coaching staff went to work immediately and found three high school standouts who are determined to help Virginia return to their glory days. Here are the incoming freshmen who committed to joining the Cavaliers in the 2025-26 college basketball season.

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Freshman commits set to join Virginia Cavaliers for the 2025-26 season

Chance Mallory

Mallory initially committed to play with the Cavaliers during Tony Bennett's tenure. However, he decommitted six months later when he learned about Bennett's retirement.

The St. Anne's Belfield standout ultimately decided to return to Virginia, now handled by Ryan Odom. The 5-9 Charlottesville native chose to return to the Cavaliers, turning down offers from Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Maryland and Virginia Tech.

The four-star high school recruit averaged 26 points per game in his senior year at St Anne's Belfield and made 53% of his shots from the field, including 40% from the 3-point line. He's expected to light up the court on offense with his incredible ability to finish around the rim and his gifted shooting skills.

Silas Barksdale

Silas Barksdale followed Ryan Odom from VCU to Virginia and he's set to give the Cavaliers a dynamic frontcourt player who can contribute on both ends of the court.

The 6-9 center was one of the top rebounders in the EYBL circuit and is a deceivingly good passer who can thrive on half-court sets, per 247 Sports' Adam Finkelstein.

Barksdale has a short floater that can compensate for his lack of shooting and ability to finish inside the shaded area consistently.

Before taking his talents to Charlottesville, the Hampton, Virginia, native first committed to the Rams over offers from Butler, Miami, Illinois, Tennessee, Maryland, Iowa, Mississippi State, Pittsburgh, Virginia Tech and Seton Hall.

Barksdale is ranked No. 88 in the class of 2025 and No. 11-ranked center in the nation.

Johann Grünloh

German center-forward Johann Grünloh spurned an opportunity to take part in the NBA draft in favor of committing to Ryan Odom's Virginia Cavaliers. The 6-11 Löningen, Germany, native will turn 20 in August but has a ton of basketball experience, as he played for Rasta Vechta in the German BBL.

Grünloh started in Rasta Vechta's 33 games, averaging 8.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 23.3 minutes per game. The frontcourt star shot 47.6% from the floor and 35.4% from 3-point range.

He can score a ton of points, haul down rebounds and provide solid defense inside the paint, which the Cavaliers needed in their ACC campaign this season.