UVa head coach Tony Bennett offered a scholarship to Lawrence Central (Indianapolis, IN) class of 2016 combo guard Kyle Guy this past summer, after watching the 6’2” prospect perform at AAU events in Chicago and Los Angeles. Bennett and company “have really been on me” since extending the scholarship, Guy said.
“Coach Bennett attended two of our open gyms back-to-back,” Guy noted. “He has been to my school three times.”
Bennett isn’t alone in considering the Indianapolis native a top prospect. ESPN, Rivals, Scout and 247Sports all rank Guy as a 4-star recruit. Butler, Indiana, Iowa, Iowa State, Mississippi, Missouri, NC State, Northwestern, Purdue, Virginia and Xavier have all offered scholarships to the promising backcourt prospect. The list should grow from now until the start of Guy’s senior year, which is when he figures he’ll make his college choice.
“I can shoot it. I can pass it very well. I’m not scared, so I can rebound very well. I averaged about five-and-a-half rebounds per game last season. I try to pattern my game after LeBron. Obviously I don’t have his physical assets, but I want to be a well-rounded player. I want to be able to do everything well. I know I need to get stronger,” said Guy, who began to focus on basketball over football in the sixth grade. He helped Lawrence Central to an 11-8 record as a sophomore in 2013/2014, and this year he and fellow class of 2016 guard Mehki Biffle look to lead the Bears to a lengthy postseason run.
Guy has taken multiple visits to in-state schools Butler, Indiana and Purdue. He has also visited Arizona State, Michigan, Mississippi, San Diego State, Tennessee and Xavier. Next Friday, October 17, Guy plans to be in Charlottesville visiting UVa for the first time.
“The past three years, they have made a lot of strides,” Guy answered when asked when he knows about the Virginia program to this point. “I had them in my final four last year, as a matter of fact. I like the way they play.”
Guy does not have a favorite at this point. He is in no rush to make a commitment. Some schools, though, have caught his attention with the way they are recruiting him.
“Like I said, Virginia is standing out with how active they have been,” Guy said. “Purdue, at our first open gym, had the whole coaching staff there. Also, Butler’s coach came by our school two days before he went on his medical leave. That stood out to me too.”
Virginia has received one commitment in the class of 2016, from New York native combo guard Ty Jerome. The class is an important one as the Hoos are expected to lose five players – guard/forward Justin Anderson, guard Malcolm Brogdon, forwards Anthony Gill and Evan Nolte, and center Mike Tobey – following the 2015/2016 season. As of now Coach Bennett and company have four open scholarships remaining in the class.
