Top super talent has officially decided to stay close to home, committing to the Virginia Cavaliers for 2025. The local standout announced his choice on Friday, opting for UVA over offers from Virginia Tech, Clemson, Miami (FL), Tennessee, and Villanova.
He 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 player overall.
Coming out of Saint Anne’s-Belfield (STAB) High School, the four-star has been a standout prospect and a target for Virginia for several years. In his junior year, he averaged an impressive 26 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game, showcasing his exceptional talent while playing for Team Thrill over the summer.
Standing at 5-foot-9, he may be considered undersized, but few players possess his skill set. He handles the ball like a true point guard, boasts deep shooting range, a quick release, and a versatile finishing ability around the rim. This summer, he shot 45% from the field, 38% from three-point range, and an impressive 90% from the free-throw line.
He is a certified scorer who excels at all three levels of the game. He plays with a silky smoothness and control, using changes in speed and direction to create space and showcasing a wide array of finishes around the rim. While he will need time to adjust to the size and strength of ACC basketball, his skill set suggests he’s up for the challenge.
Many UVA fans will likely compare Mallory to Kihei Clark due to their similar stature as smaller point guards. However, Mallory stands out as a more dynamic scorer. He has a quicker release and can hit three-pointers from long distances, including from his high school. His main area for improvement will be on the defensive end, where he’ll need to develop the ball pressure that Clark demonstrated during his time at Virginia.
It’s clear that Tony Bennett and his staff made a compelling pitch to Mallory during his official visit last weekend, as he quickly canceled all other visits afterward and committed to staying home.
Mallory is the first commitment for UVA’s 2025 recruiting class, filling a crucial need at point guard for the program’s future. The coaching staff will now focus on adding a forward to complete the class, with top prospects like No. 4 Nate Ament, No. 50 Cam Ward, and No. 84 Tre Singleton—who is set to visit Charlottesville this weekend—on their radar.
For now, Mallory is an exciting addition. The local standout joins fellow STAB alum Kymora Johnson in staying home, and he is sure to become a fan favorite in orange and blue, potentially helping lead the Cavaliers back to national prominence.
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