Virginia Basketball Stars Named to National Watch Lists

Chance Mallory and Kymora Johnson earn preseason recognition from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Basketball

Virginia Basketball Stars Named to National Watch Lists

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The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has named University of Virginia student Chance Mallory to the 2027 Bob Cousy Award watch list. Additionally, Kymora Johnson was named to the 2027 Nancy Lieberman Award watch list ahead of the upcoming season.

Why it matters

These awards are presented annually to the nation's top point guards in men's and women's basketball, highlighting the elite status of Virginia's floor generals. This recognition underscores the expectations for both players as they head into the new regular season.

Chance Mallory recorded 121 assists and 57 steals during the 2025-26 season, ranking second in the ACC for assist-to-turnover ratio. Kymora Johnson averaged 19.5 points and 5.9 assists per game, making her one of three Division I players to hit those benchmarks.

The players

Chance Mallory

He is a student-athlete at the University of Virginia who plays as a point guard for the men's basketball team.

Kymora Johnson

She is a standout performer for the University of Virginia women's basketball team who earned a spot on a national positional watch list.

Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame

This organization is responsible for honoring the greatest contributors to basketball and presents prestigious annual awards to collegiate players.

The details

Mallory was previously voted a preseason All-ACC second-team choice in October 2026. The recognition for both athletes serves as a focal point for the university as both basketball programs prepare to open their campaigns in early November.

Mallory and Johnson played their prior basketball season during 2025-26.
Mallory was voted All-ACC second-team in October 2026.
Mallory was named to the Bob Cousy Award watch list on October 26, 2026.
The Virginia women's basketball team begins its regular season on November 2, 2026.
The Virginia men's basketball team begins its regular season on November 3, 2026.

Season Trajectory

These watch list selections solidify the central roles Mallory and Johnson will play in their respective programs' success this season. Their inclusion places them squarely in the national conversation for postseason honors as they lead Virginia's backcourt efforts.

Fans can monitor the performance of these players against the national thresholds required for eventual finalists. These individual accolades often signal a heavier usage rate for the athletes, impacting team rotations and offensive production throughout the season.

The takeaway

Preseason award watch lists serve as a barometer for national expectations regarding top-tier collegiate talent. Identifying these key players early allows observers to track their performance progress against established elite standards throughout the upcoming season.