Home Catching up with UVA basketball legend Sean Singletary
Basketball

Catching up with UVA basketball legend Sean Singletary

Chris Graham

A #44 Sean Singletary Jersey hangs in the rafters at the John Paul Jones Arena, but he hasn’t been back for a game at his old stomping grounds since graduating in 2008.

After retiring from professional basketball this summer and relocating to the Charlottesville area a month ago, Singletary is hoping to get back to JPJ to relive some old memories.

Singletary was at the Waynesboro Family YMCA on Tuesday to work out a duo of high-school basketball players that he has been coaching, part of his transition from playing to teaching.

“I just want to stay with the game, stay around the game. I think I have a wealth of knowledge in basketball, and I just want to teach kids,” said Singletary, who played in the NBA, the NBA D-League and in Europe for parts of six seasons before retiring following the 2013-2014 season.

Now a father of two, Singletary settled in Crozet earlier this fall, and is focused on building for the next phase of his life, one that he wants to remain grounded in basketball. In addition to coaching players one-on-one, Singletary has led three coaching clinics, including one coming up in Richmond later this month.

He’s also getting used to “daddy time,” as he calls it, with his two daughters.

“I didn’t want to be away from them traveling so much,” he said of one of the key advantages to his more stable post-basketball life.

“This is a smooth transition,” Singletary said. “I get to stay in the game and teach kids. I love being around kids. I love teaching kids. It’s rewarding giving them the message and seeing them out there performing.”

Singletary lights up talking about his alma mater and its basketball team, the defending ACC regular-season and tournament champions starting the 2014-2015 season in the national Top 10.

“It’s wonderful to see. It’s refreshing to see,” Singletary said. “Those kids are great kids, high-character kids. (Coach Tony Bennett) brings in high-character kids, kids who are willing to learn and just go out there and play hard every game. It’s wonderful to see them win, ranked in the Top 10, as a former UVA player. I wish them the best this season.”

And he plans to be able to wish the team the best in person courtside at the arena that he helped open with a memorable 93-90 win over #10 Arizona in November 2006 in one of the louder moments in UVA sports history.

“I’ve watched games on TV and on the Internet when I was in Europe, but I haven’t actually been in JPJ during any of these games. Hopefully I’ll catch all the home games this year since I’ll be in town. I’m excited to be back in the gym and feel the electric crowds. It will probably bring back a lot of memories,” Singletary said.

– Column by Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham, the king of "fringe media," a zero-time Virginia Sportswriter of the Year, and a member of zero Halls of Fame, is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].

Latest News

grant kersey deandre hunter ty jerome
Basketball

Will Cleveland be able to keep UVA Basketball alums De’Andre Hunter, Ty Jerome?

police car arrest lights
Virginia

Driver wanted on outstanding warrants evades State Police, flees on foot before capture

A five-vehicle wreck on Interstate 495 was caused by a driver with outstanding warrants who refused to stop for a State Police trooper.

Sports

How To Bet On Preakness Stakes 2025 In Maine

As the 150th Preakness Stakes draws near, excitement is building for the iconic race, set to take place this Saturday at the historic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Racing fans in Maine don’t need to miss out on the action, as there are plenty of options to bet on the race from the comfort...

Sports

How To Bet On Preakness Stakes 2025 In Missouri

spring storm
Local

Albemarle County: Lightning strike the likely cause of house fire in Crozet

Sports

How To Bet On Preakness Stakes 2025 In Mississippi

baltimore orioles
Baseball

Down on the Farm: Big night for O’s prospect Samuel Basallo in Tides loss