Thijs De Ridder Named Preseason ACC Player of the Year
The Virginia standout became the first player in the program's history to earn the outright preseason conference award.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Volleyball
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The ACC named Thijs De Ridder as the Preseason ACC Player of the Year following a media poll. De Ridder received 30 of the 48 total votes cast for the honor.
Why it matters
This recognition signals high expectations for the Virginia basketball program this season. Additionally, media members predicted the Virginia Cavaliers will finish second in the ACC conference rankings.
Thijs De Ridder captured 30 of 48 total votes to win the award, while the Virginia Cavaliers were projected to finish second in the ACC conference. Chance Mallory also earned a spot on the Preseason Second Team All-ACC.
The players
Thijs De Ridder
He is a Virginia basketball player and the first outright winner of the Preseason ACC Player of the Year award in the program history.
Chance Mallory
He is a basketball player at Virginia who earned Preseason Second Team All-ACC honors.
Ryan Odom
He is the head coach of the Virginia basketball program.
The details
Thijs De Ridder and Chance Mallory are the first players to receive Preseason All-ACC honors under head coach Ryan Odom. The awards were determined through a poll of 48 media members who also evaluated team rankings for the upcoming season.
Timeline
October 13, 2026: The ACC announced preseason awards and conference predictions.
November 3, 2026: Virginia begins the basketball season against Drexel.
Season Trajectory
The recognition of De Ridder and Mallory marks a significant milestone for the Virginia basketball program under coach Ryan Odom. These accolades suggest a shift in competitive expectations as the team enters the season ranked second in the ACC.
The team enters the season with high expectations after being picked to finish second in the ACC conference. Fans can look for the season debut of these award-winning players during the matchup against Drexel on November 3.
The takeaway
The preseason accolades highlight a promising trajectory for the Virginia roster. Fans should monitor how these individual projections translate to team success as the season officially kicks off in November.
Further reading
For more on local sports updates, visit the Volleyball section.
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