Virginia Men’s Basketball landed arguably its most significant transfer of the offseason over the weekend, securing senior guard Malik Thomas from San Francisco. A First Team All-WCC selection this past season, Thomas averaged 19.5 points per game.

Thomas brings additional ball-handling and the ability to initiate offense—two traits the Cavaliers lacked last season. After beginning his career at USC, Thomas spent two seasons at San Francisco, where he established himself as a three-level scorer. His shooting splits during his time with the Dons were impressive: 49.0% on two-pointers, 39.5% from three, and 85.4% from the free-throw line.

At 6’5″, Thomas offers the ability to create his own shot and use his length to shoot over defenders in isolation—an area where Virginia struggled in 2024–2025. His aggressiveness getting to the free-throw line also stands out; he attempted 222 free throws this past season.

Thomas scored 30 or more points on four occasions last season, including a 36-point performance in a second-round NIT loss to Loyola Chicago. The significance of his addition is that he gives head coach Ryan Odom a true late-game shot creator with the ball in his hands. While Dallin Hall is expected to assume the role of a traditional point guard—more of a facilitator than a “takeover” scorer—and Jacari White thrives off the ball as a shooting guard, Thomas appears poised to lead the Cavaliers’ backcourt in both volume and usage.

Virginia has now added eight players through the transfer portal: Sam Lewis, Jacari White, Dallin Hall, Martin Carrere, Devon Tillis, Ugonna Onyenso, Johan Grunloh, and Malik Thomas.