UVA Basketball Retains Key Player for 2027 Season

Sam Lewis to return, solidifying Cavaliers' roster for upcoming campaign.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:23pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a college basketball player in motion, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in shades of navy, orange, and green, conveying the dynamic energy and stability of the UVA basketball program.UVA's roster continuity sets the stage for a promising 2026-27 campaign.Charlottesville Today

The University of Virginia men's basketball team received a major boost with the reported return of wing player Sam Lewis for the 2026-27 season. Lewis, who started 35 games last year and averaged 10.6 points per game, will join a core group of returning players that includes Chance Mallory, Thijs de Ridder, and Johann Grünloh, giving the Cavaliers significant continuity heading into next season.

Why it matters

Lewis' decision to stay at UVA is a significant win for the program, as roster stability has become increasingly rare in the era of the transfer portal. The Cavaliers have managed to retain nearly their entire rotation from last season's 30-win team, positioning them as a top contender in the ACC and nationally for the upcoming year.

The details

A 6-foot-7 wing, Lewis played a crucial role in Virginia's success last season, starting 35 of 36 games and shooting 40.3% from 3-point range. His return, combined with the previously announced decisions of Mallory, de Ridder, and Grünloh to remain in Charlottesville, gives the Cavaliers a strong foundation of experienced, proven players to build around.

  • Lewis is expected to return for what will be his senior season in 2026-27.

The players

Sam Lewis

A 6-foot-7 wing who started 35 games for Virginia last season, averaging 10.6 points per game while shooting 40.3% from 3-point range.

Chance Mallory

A key returning player for the Cavaliers, who will join Lewis in Virginia's core rotation next season.

Thijs de Ridder

Another experienced player set to return to Virginia, de Ridder is an international addition who made an immediate impact as a rotation piece last year.

Johann Grünloh

The fourth member of Virginia's returning core, Grünloh is another international player who was a valuable contributor in his first season with the Cavaliers.

Ryan Odom

The head coach of the Virginia men's basketball team, who has quickly built a strong culture and roster in his first year in Charlottesville.

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What’s next

With Lewis back in the fold, Virginia will now turn its attention to replacing the production lost from departing players like Malik Thomas, Jacari White, and Ugonna Onyenso. The Cavaliers are expected to be active in the transfer portal and may also look to add more international talent, as they did last year with de Ridder and Grünloh.

The takeaway

Virginia's ability to retain its core players, led by the return of Sam Lewis, positions the Cavaliers as a top contender in the ACC and nationally for the 2026-27 season. This level of roster continuity is rare in modern college basketball, and it speaks to the strong culture and program-building efforts of head coach Ryan Odom in his second year at the helm.