Kymora Johnson recommits to UVA women’s basketball

Virginia guard Kymora Johnson (21) shows a heart to Cavalier supporters after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes March 23, 2026 during a Round of 32 NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. | Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

New Virginia women’s basketball head coach Aaron Roussell had a clear first order of business upon arriving in Charlottesville — convince Kymora Johnson to return to Grounds.

Less than two weeks into his regime, Roussell has gotten the job done, as Johnson, one of the most coveted players in the transfer portal, announced on Friday morning her intent to withdraw from the portal and recommit to the Cavaliers for her senior season.

During his introductory press conference on April 13th, Roussell said he wants to build “sustained success” at Virginia and to “hang some banners.” While UVA isn’t going to immediately be a title favorite, Johnson’s return completely transforms what’s possible for the ’Hoos in year one under his watch.

A two-time All-ACC First-Team selection, Johnson has long been a superstar in Charlottesville and averaged 19.5 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game this past season. But the former McDonald’s High School All-American and St. Anne’s-Belfield product formally introduced herself to the nation this March by pouring in 22.5 points per game in the NCAA Tournament to lead the ’Hoos to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2000.

Her postseason performance helped Virginia become the first women’s team ever to advance from the First Four to the Sweet 16 and earned her All-America Honorable Mention recognition from the WBCA.

Now, Johnson will return to a Virginia program where her name is already scattered throughout the record books. She broke the UVA program record for career 3-pointers in February, set a John Paul Jones Arena record with 10 3-pointers against Winthrop in December, set the single-season program record with 103 3-pointers this past season, and is already fourth on the all-time UVA assists leaderboard. Johnson also has a chance to climb near the summit of the Virginia all-time scoring list. Currently ninth, she needs 411 more points to surpass Dawn Staley for second.