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The hiring of coach Ryan Odom has led hometown point guard Chance Mallory back to Virginia.

Mallory is the No. 9 point guard and the No. 55 overall prospect in the nation in the 2025 class, according to the 247Sports composite. The four-star prospect originally committed to Virginia last Sept, 20, then decommitted five weeks later following the sudden retirement of coach Tony Bennett.

Interim coach Ron Sanchez was dismissed March 12 after leading the Cavaliers to a 15-17 record, leading to the hiring of VCU’s Odom.

That was enough to change the mind of Mallory, a local product who plays at St. Anne’s-Belfield School in Charlottesville, Va.

“What led me back to UVa was just the idea of being home,” Mallory told 247Sports. “I’ve always lived in Charlottesville and I have the majority of my family still here. So being close to family was a major factor.”

The 5-foot-9 Mallory said he’s “excited to be able to play for such a great coach who knows how to play with undersized guards.” But he also is thrilled to fulfill a childhood wish.

“It means everything to me,” he told 247Sports. “Growing up watching games as a kid dreaming of the chance to be able to play on your hometown court means the world to me. Being able to play for your hometown team I think means a little bit more.”

–Field Level Media