When dissecting the Virginia basketball roster, it has been clear that guard depth may need to be prioritized for the 2022-2023 season. On Monday night, UVA addressed that concern when it announced that Kihei Clark would return to the program and use the “Super Senior” eligibility year allowed by the NCAA due to the pandemic.

Clark brings significant experience back to the team with the decision. In four years with the Hoos, he posted 1,082 points, 368 rebounds, 539 assists, and 113 steals to go with 274 turnovers. He became just the fifth player in school history with 1,000 points and 500 assists in his career this past season. He ranks fifth on the program’s all-time assists list. He’s received All-ACC recognition three times (third team in 2019-2020, honorable mention team in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022).

By keeping Clark in the fold, Virginia answered depth concerns created by other roster management questions. The Cavaliers lost outbound guard transfers in consecutive seasons when Casey Morsell left for NC State in 2021 and Carson McCorkle left for Wofford and Malachi Poindexter left for Illinois State in 2022. Those exits along with the expected departure of Kody Stattmann left only Reece Beekman, Armaan Franklin, and Chase Coleman as upperclass options on the roster.

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