The Virginia Cavaliers are a Division I basketball program in the ACC. The program was founded in 1819 and is identified by its mascot, Cavman. The program record reflects 1 national championship, 3 ACC titles, and 27 NCAA tournament appearances. Virginia has played 33 games this season, finishing 27-6. Leading the Cavaliers this season is Thijs De Ridder, who has produced 560 points (15.6 PPG) across 33 games. The full roster carries 26 athletes. The Cavaliers play home games on the Virginia campus. Virginia most recently played in the Midwest Regional - Second Round - Game 3 on March 22, 2026, with the result a loss 72-79. Basketball at Virginia traces its lineage to 1819, making the Cavaliers one of the longer-tenured programs in the ACC. Cavman has anchored the program's identity across that history. When fans fuel a Cavalier athlete on RallyFuel, 90% lands directly with the athlete — funding training, recovery, and the realities of college sports.
The Virginia Men's Basketball program operates at the pinnacle of NCAA Division I athletics, serving as a cornerstone of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), widely recognized as one of the most elite conferences in collegiate basketball. Engaging with a roster of nationally ranked opponents, Virginia consistently showcases its prowess in competitive environments and maintains a strong presence in postseason tournaments. This program is not merely a sport; it represents a vital aspect of the university's athletic identity, driving visibility and institutional pride. Virginia Men's Basketball is dedicated to developing well-rounded leaders, striking a careful balance between rigorous academic achievement and high-performance athletic competition. The program’s strategic recruitment processes emphasize attracting elite talent, focusing on player development and resource allocation that prepare athletes for success both on the court and in their future endeavors.
Virginia Men's Basketball benefits from cutting-edge infrastructure that is meticulously designed to foster elite athletic performance and competitive success. The John Paul Jones Arena, the program's home venue, provides a state-of-the-art environment that enhances both player performance and fan experience. With a seating capacity of approximately 14,600, the arena features a modern playing surface and advanced amenities that create an electrifying atmosphere for games and practices alike. This high-performance infrastructure is pivotal for athlete development, ensuring that every player can maximize their potential.
Virginia Men's Basketball presents substantial market and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities due to its high visibility and established reputation within the ACC, complemented by a robust national broadcast reach. The program capitalizes on strategic media deals, leveraging extensive television agreements and streaming platforms to showcase games to a diverse audience, thereby amplifying player exposure. This heightened visibility, coupled with a passionate local and regional fanbase, significantly enhances the program's commercial appeal, attracting lucrative sponsorships from both collegiate and community-aligned brands. For recruits, Virginia offers a potent platform for personal brand development, intertwining competitive success with significant media visibility and community engagement. The program’s NIL ecosystem enables athletes to effectively convert exposure into equity through strategic brand alignment and tailored monetization strategies, including the optimization of digital footprints. These elements position Virginia Men's Basketball as an alluring destination for high-level recruits eager to maximize their NIL potential while competing at an elite collegiate level.
