It's Crunch Time For UVA In 2025 Recruiting Cycle

It’s been a busy first half of September for UVA Basketball on the recruiting front.  The Wahoos have hosted official visitors each of the last three weekends, with more likely ahead.  Key decisions loom on the horizon. 

Virginia is still searching for their first commitment in the class of 2025.  They have two spots available, one for a guard and one for a forward.  

Recent Visits

St. Anne’s Belfield (VA) point guard Chance Mallory made the short trip to UVA for his official visit this past weekend.  Bennett and company have been in full pursuit of the local standout since offering him a scholarship last summer.  His stock has soared the past year, now ranked as the 52nd overall recruit in the class.  If not for an ankle injury that kept him out all summer, there would likely have been even more competition for his services.   

Chance Mallory pics from his UVA official visit, he posted on IG. pic.twitter.com/D10OMiJXxi

— Hooz Got Next (@HoozGotNext) September 15, 2024

Mallory has taken two official visits now in consecutive weekends to VA Tech and UVA.  There are still four more upcoming visits scheduled to Clemson (9/20), Villanova (9/27), Tennessee (10/11), and Miami (10/25).  Bennett will certainly try to speed up the decision-making process, that’s what coaches do this time of year, but Chance seems intent so far on taking a deliberate approach.  

The previous weekend, Virginia hosted Largo (MD) forward Cam Ward on an official visit.  He was offered a scholarship last fall, but it was over the summer when UVA’s pursuit intensified.  This was his second time on Grounds, following an unofficial visit in June.  Ward is listed as the 50th overall player in the class.  All these rankings come from the 247Sports composite, if you care about that sort of thing.  

Thank you for the hospitality, energy, and love on my official visit to Virginia. Appreciate the staff and players for hosting me and my family pic.twitter.com/lFde281k8M

— Cam Ward (@camabucket) September 10, 2024

Ward’s visit went really well from what we’ve heard.  He had some interesting things to say about changes UVA is making, worth checking out in his interview with Cavs Corner.  Cam has upcoming visits scheduled to Maryland (9/20), Michigan State (10/04), and Alabama (10/11).  He’s also visited Marquette, Vanderbilt, and most recently Kansas State.  

Two weekends ago, New Hampton (NH) point guard Keyshuan Tillery was in town for his official visit.  UVA offered him a scholarship after Tony Bennett eyed him at Nike Peach Jam in July.  He was one of the summer’s biggest stock climbers, now ranked as the 66th player in the class. The Albany native hasn’t named finalists, but there seems to be just a handful of teams left. 

Keyshuan Tillery on his official visit at Virginia 🎓#CRFam 🟠 pic.twitter.com/7vbbOq1BUJ

— CityRocksBasketball (@TheCityRocks) September 2, 2024

Tillery has taken other recent visits to Wake Forest and Cincinnati.  He’ll head to Ohio State this weekend then Villanova in early October.  There might be a visit to Kansas squeezed in too.  UVA is making a strong push.  Tony Bennett was in New Hampshire recently to see him again.  

As things stand, those three recent visitors are the recruits that Virginia has the best odds of landing.  My opinion anyway.  

Impending Verdict 

Gonzaga (DC) guard Derek Dixon is finished with visits.  He plans to announce his college choice on his birthday, September 27th.  Finalists are Virginia, North Carolina, Arizona, Vanderbilt, Pittsburgh, and Syracuse.  The 47th ranked recruit was in Charlottesville on an official visit back in April. 

Rivals recruiting analyst Houston Wilson placed a prediction in Pitt’s favor.  He’s really good at his job, but we’ll hope against the odds Houston is wrong for once.  UVA came on strong with Dixon this summer to put themselves in position to have a shot.  Pitt had long been seen as a bit of a favorite though. Tony Bennett did an in-home visit with Dixon a couple weeks ago to make the final case.  The decision may not be done yet.  We’ll find out his verdict soon enough.   

Off The Board

London Jemison won’t be coming to Virginia.  The St. Thomas More (CT) forward announced on Sunday night that he’s down to a final three of Alabama, Kansas, and Louisville with a decision coming soon.  He’s visited all three of those schools in recent weeks.  It looks like one of them managed to close the deal.  He had a visit to UVA scheduled for later this month, which will be canceled.  

It serves as a reminder that most of these recruitments do get wrapped up ahead of schedule.  This is the closing season. Being told no is the second best thing a coach can hear too though.  Allows the UVA staff to move ahead and adjust accordingly. 

Marathon Man

The recruitment of Nate Ament is turning into a true marathon.  He’s slowing down his process, with the plan of waiting until perhaps next spring to make a college choice.  The five-star Highland School (VA) forward originally planned to visit UVA this past weekend.  His visit will be rescheduled for a later date to be determined.   I expect we’ll see him in Charlottesville some time in October.  

Ament plans to take some visits this fall on football weekends, then more during basketball season.  There are a lot of teams after him and a long way to go.  Look for UVA to stay involved as long as there’s a spot open while obviously trying to get one of these other forwards in the meantime if they can.  

Upcoming Visits

Jeffersonville (IN) forward Tre Singleton has Virginia in his final 8.  He’s planning to visit soon, possibly this coming weekend.  Another big summer riser, ranked as the 72nd player in the class, UVA offered him a scholarship after Bennett watched him play in July.  Louisville, very close to home for Singleton, is seen as a favorite.   He just visited Purdue this past weekend.  They’re a serious contender too.  

And Utah Prep point guard JJ Mandaquit is scheduled to visit on the weekend of September 27th.  Ranked 51st in the class, Virginia offered him a scholarship in July too.  He’s taken recent visits to Cal and Louisville.  There are a bunch more scheduled, into late October, with BYU seen as the team to knock off.  

That’s all I have for now.  Let’s hope the next blog is a happy one.  

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