Coronavirus claims the life of Kyle Guy’s grandfather

jerryratcliffe.com

Posted on Saturday, Apr. 4, 2020, 10:55 pm

Follow Jerry Ratcliffe on Twitter

Advertising inquiries: Connect with us

Email Jerry Ratcliffe: jratcliffe7000@gmail.com

 

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Kyle Guy takes it inside against Irish defender Prentiss Hubb last season (Photo by John Markon).

Last year at this time, Kyle Guy was en route to one of the happiest weekends of his life.

Guy made three crucial free throws to defeat Auburn in the Final Four and vaulted Virginia into its first national basketball championship and a win over Texas Tech in the finals. Guy was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.

On Friday, Guy learned that his grandfather had died from the Coronavirus. He shared the sad news on his Instagram and Twitter accounts and urged everyone to follow the national recommended guidelines to stop the spread of the virus.

“Covid-19 took my grandpa last night,” Guy stated. “Mortality is a tough pill to swallow. You used to live down the street, now you’re with us everyday. I beg you, don’t let this be your wake up call. Take this seriously and stay safe.”

Guy also wrote:

“When I was 7 or 8 my grandpa had me sign a piece of payer saying he’d be my manager (jokingly) if I ever made it to the NBA. Something as small as that was always on my mind while I tried to make that dream come true. I know he’s up there waiting for his cut … and one day, I’ll give it to him.”

Guy averaged 15.4 points and 4.5 rebounds for Virginia last year during his junior season and scored 24 points in the Cavaliers’ overtime win over Texas Tech in the national championship game.

He was taken in the second round by the New York Knicks in the NBA Draft and was traded to the Sacramento Kings, where he was on a two-way contract this past season. He played only two games with the NBA club, but posted an average of 21 points in 37 games with the Stockton Kings in the G-League before coronavirus shut down the season.