Virginia guard Kyle Guy has announced he will remain in the 2019 NBA Draft, ending any possibility of him returning to the Cavaliers for his senior year, he announced Monday afternoon.
“After further discussion with my family, I have decided to forgo my senior season and remain in the 2019 NBA Draft,” Guy said. “Saying goodbye to my second home of Virginia basketball wasn’t easy, but I know I’m ready for this next step in my basketball career. UVA has meant more to me than you’ll ever know. From the bottom of my heart, thank you!”
Guy is projected at or near the end of the second round of most mock drafts. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound guard led the Cavaliers at 15.4 points per game this season and was named Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four.
Guy shot 44.9 percent from the floor and 42.9 percent from three this season while also developing into one of the nation’s best perimeter defenders. He also pulled down a career high 4.5 rebounds, well up from his 2.6 he averaged last year.
“Kyle had a remarkable three-year career at the University of Virginia,” head coach Tony Bennett said. “He has been a model teammate and student-athlete, and we obviously respect his decision to remain in the draft. I loved coaching him, watching him develop and turn into a terrific young man. We’re excited for Kyle and his family, and wish him nothing but the best at the next level.”
Guy will hope his sharp shooting, defensive abilities and terrific Final Four will vault him up draft boards. Guy is a bit undersized as an NBA-level shooting guard, but his ability to move off the ball and knock down shots on the move will fit nicely in an NBA where the deep ball is more valuable than ever.
With Guy declaring he will remain in the draft and Marco Anthony declaring Monday he intends to transfer, the Cavaliers will lose at least four pieces from the 2019 championship team. De’Andre Hunter and Ty Jerome are both projected first-round picks who have declared for the draft. A fourth Cavalier who declared, Mamadi Diakite, has until May 29 to decide whether he will return or not.
Story by Zach Pereles
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