Quick Take With Virginia Basketball Sophomore Guard Kyle Guy

Virginia sophomore guard Kyle Guy ~ Photo courtesy Matt Riley/Virginia Athletics Media Relations

We saw flashes of Kyle Guy’s ability during his true freshman campaign. There were some growing pains, too, for the 2016 McDonald’s All-American out of Indianapolis. The good and the bad experiences of last season, coupled with a productive offseason, should help the 6’2” guard during the 2017/2018 Virginia basketball campaign.

If his performance at Virginia’s 2017 Pepsi Blue-White scrimmage is any indication, Guy, who has shed the “man-bun” haircut that (to his surprise) became a national phenomenon, appears more than ready to take on a big-time role for the Cavaliers.

I interviewed Guy at Virginia basketball’s media day on October 16. He addressed several topics in this “Quick Take” feature, including …

What redshirt freshmen Jay Huff and De’Andre Hunter will bring to the table …

KYLE GUY: “They’ll be able to stretch the floor, especially if they’re both on the floor. Offensively, they’re going to be great. Defensively, we all have work to do. Dre can be a great defender if he puts his mind to it.”

Graduate transfer guard Nigel Johnson …

KYLE GUY: “His quickness and his experience have helped him take to the Pack Line very quickly. He will definitely help us this year.”

The areas he wanted to improve upon from his freshman to sophomore seasons …

KYLE GUY: “Just being more consistent and able to help the team on all levels.”

A key area of individual improvement from last season …

KYLE GUY: “I have gotten stronger. I was starting to deteriorate toward the end of last year.”

Adjusting to major college basketball under this Virginia coaching staff …

KYLE GUY: “They’re incredible human beings and they help us on all levels of life, not just basketball. They’ll get on you in practice, but after every practice they’ll say, ‘Hey, if we’re not on you then you should be worried.’ So, it was actually quite easy with the guys in charge.”

Is there any chance he sees some time at the 1 this season? …

KYLE GUY: “London was obviously the 1 last year. There was no surpassing that. And this year I think Ty is going to take a huge jump on the court. He’ll probably handle the ball most of the time. And Nigel also. But, with our offense, anyone brings the ball up. It doesn’t matter. Just get the offense set up. I’ve been working on my handles in the offseason, so I will be able to handle the ball more this year.”

UVA’s offensive post presence in 2017/2018 …

KYLE GUY: “Isaiah has taken his game to a-whole-nother level. He can really score in the post. He’ll help us a lot. Mamadi is continually getting better. Jay is continually getting better. I think those guys, and then Jack, too. His touch is so much better than it was last year. He’ll tell you it has gotten better. He has put in the work, so I’m glad that has helped him.”

Final thoughts heading into the 2017/2018 season, a season in which the program has less expectations from national media …

KYLE GUY: “It’s going to be fun. This is a fun group. I’m so excited for this year. I didn’t really know what to expect going into last year. Now I do, so that makes it that much more exciting. I think we’re all on the same page. We keep chipping away every single day trying to get a little better.”