BREAKING: Kyle Guy joins UVA basketball staff

By Jerry Ratcliffe

We always kind of thought that someday, Kyle Guy would return to Virginia basketball, and today is that day.

One of the heroes of Virginia’s 2019 national championship, the man who coolly slayed Auburn with perhaps the most pressurized and clutch free throws in Final Four history, has joined Tony Bennett’s basketball staff.

Meanwhile, Bennett has named Brad Soderberg as an assistant coach. Soderberg, in his 10th season at UVA, was an assistant for his first six seasons before moving to director of scouting the past three years. He is now an assistant coach again.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kyle and his family back to Charlottesville,” Bennett announced Wednesday afternoon. “Kyle is not only one of the best players I’ve ever coached, but also one of the finest young men I’ve met. He will make an immediate impact on our program, working with our players and sharing the expertise and competitive fire he’s gained throughout his collegiate and professional career.”

Guy, who replaces Johnny Carpenter on the staff, has been hired as Athlete Development Mentor/Special Assistant. Carpenter, who worked his way up from a team manager to an assistant coach, took a position with the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies.

“C’Ville, I am back,” Guy said. “I want to sincerely thank Coach Bennett and Carla Williams for trusting me with the opportunity to come back and begin the next chapter of my life. This was not an easy decision for me, but knowing how much love I have for this culture and community made it very clear where I should be with my family. I’m beyond excited to help this team and the University in any way needed. I’m also excited for my kids to see the work never stops! Fail harder!”

🧡💙 𝙒𝙚𝙡𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙝𝙤𝙢𝙚, @kylejguy!

🗒️ https://t.co/2cInU5axdu

🔶⚔️🔷#GoHoos pic.twitter.com/vGrueqyW55

— Virginia Men’s Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) August 7, 2024

Guy was the 2019 Final Four “Most Outstanding Player,” a two-time All-American, two-time All-ACC honoree and ACC Tournament MVP during his UVA career. In that Final Four, Guy averaged 19.5 points in wins over Auburn and Texas Tech.

Who will ever forget Guy calmly sinking three free throws with 0.6 seconds remaining in the Cavaliers’ 63-62 win over Auburn in the semifinals? He went on to score 24 points in the national championship game, an 85-77 overtime victory over Texas Tech.

He averaged 15.4 points over those two games and earned consensus All-America third-team honors for that season and was a third-team All-American for the 2017-18 season as well.

Guy, who will also be remembered for his 3-point shooting ability, ranks first at UVA in career 3-point percentage at 42.5 percent and 27th in scoring with 1,323 points in just three seasons.

Following the national championship, Guy and teammates Ty Jerome and De’Andre Hunter all declared for the NBA Draft. Guy was taken with the 55th pick in the second round by the New York Knicks and played three seasons — two with Sacramento (2019-21) and one with Miami (2021-22).

He has played five seasons professionally, spending the last two seasons in Spain (Joventut and Tenerile) and Greece (Panathinalkos). He averaged 14.3 points and shot 38 percent from the 3-point line, 45.2 percent from the field and had 2.2 assists for Tenerile of Liga ACB in his last professional season.