Virginia coach Ryan Odom retains double-digit scorer after shocking turnaround

It was a terrible season for Virginia in 2024-25 under interim coach Ron Sanchez, following the retirement of Tony Bennett. This led to a change in head coach, with Ryan Odom coming in. Odom led Virginia to a 30-6 record and a loss in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Now, one of the key contributors for Odom’s squad has decided to return to UVA next season, according to Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports.

” Sam Lewis has agreed to a deal to return to Virginia next season. The 6-7 Lewis averaged 10.6 PPG last season and was an integral part of the Cavaliers’ 30 wins in their first year under Ryan Odom,” Rothstein posted on X, formerly Twitter.

Many of the players with eligibility remaining for the Cavaliers squad have decided to return. This includes leading scorer Thijs De Ridder, plus Chance Mallory, Johann Grunloh, Silas Barksdale, Elijah Gertrude, and Martin Carrere.

Lewis was a major part of the offense for Virginia. He scored 10.6 points per game while adding 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists. Further, he was named to the ACC All-Tournament First Team. He was great in the ACC tournament, scoring double digits in all three games, including 17 points against Duke in the ACC Finals. Still, Lewis was not as good in the NCAA Tournament, going just two of nine from the field with five points in the second round loss to Tennessee.

With his return, three of the top five point producers are returning for the Cavs. Further, four of the top six players in terms of minutes will also be returning to the team. This will give Virginia one of the best rosters in the ACC in 2026-27, as they look to contend in the conference once again.

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