Kyle Guy answers skeptics in big debut with NBA’s Miami Heat

By Jerry Ratcliffe

With the G League shutdown because of Covid issues just before Christmas and Kyle Guy quarantined because he tested positive for the virus, the former Virginia star wasn’t sure when or where he would return to basketball.

Throughout his quarantine, several NBA teams reached out to Guy’s agent about signing him to a short-term deal, but he couldn’t due to the virus. Once Guy was cleared, he agreed to a 10-day contract with the Miami Heat on Tuesday.

Guy called it “divine timing.”

Skeptics wondered if Guy could even help the Heat, whose roster had been decimated due to injuries and Covid.

In his Miami debut Friday on the road in Houston, Guy answered all those questions. While he hadn’t played in an NBA game since last May, the former Wahoo delivered an eye-popping performance against the Rockets.

Guy tied his NBA career high with 17 points in helping the Heat grab a 120-110 road win. He connected on 4 of 6 shots from the 3-point line, was 6 of 8 overall from the field, grabbed four rebounds, four assists and four steals in 24 minutes.

Guy hit his first three triples en route to a big night.

“My confidence level never wavers,” Guy said. “I’m always ready when my number is called. One of the questions about me coming out of college was could I defend and play point guard. I think I did a good job of showing that tonight.”

KG is ringing in the New Year in style! 🔶⚔️🔷 #GoHoos #NBAHoos https://t.co/yEgotpI28l

— Virginia Men’s Basketball (@UVAMensHoops) January 1, 2022

The Most Outstanding Player of the 2019 NCAA Championship victory by Virginia, Guy showed up in Miami for the Heat’s game with San Antonio on Wednesday, but the game was canceled due to the Spurs’ virus issues. Guy said the Heat coaches urged him to shoot before the game to get loosened up.

Apparently, Miami coaches liked what they saw. He came out firing Friday against Houston on an extended road trip that will continue on Sunday at Sacramento against the Kings, Guy’s old NBA team.

It will come as no surprise to UVA fans that Guy showed up in Miami full of confidence. When asked after Friday night’s game if he was surprised by his successful debut, it wasn’t difficult to guess about his retort.

“Nothing surprises me,” Guy told Heat Nation. “I come in as a confident player. I put in the work. [Miami] believes in the guys they bring in and that says a lot.”

At the time the G-League shut down, Guy was putting up impressive numbers for the Cleveland Charge, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ affiliate.

In 11 games, Guy was averaging 21.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists while playing 35 minutes per game. He was shooting 44.6 percent from the field and 36.3 from the 3-point arc.

“I’m really thankful [Miami] took a chance on me and to be part of a winning program,” Guy said.