Indiana native Kyle Guy helped the UVA Basketball program win the NCAA title in 2019, and he was voted the Most Outstanding Player in the NCAA Tournament that year.
A few weeks later, he was drafted in the second round by the New York Knicks, who then traded him to the Sacramento Kings. He played for Sacramento (as well as the Stockton Kings of the G League) from 2019-2021.
Then he was off to a stint with the Miami Heat in 2021-2022, as well as the Cleveland Charge and Sioux Falls Skyforce that season, before heading overseas.
Guy was with Joventut in Spain for the 2022-2023 season, with a team in Athens the following season, and then in his first stint with Tenerife in Spain in 2023-2024 before spending the next season as an assistant at Virginia under former coach Tony Bennett.
With the itch to play again, the guard played for his home state Indiana Mad Ants and in China last season before heading back to Spain for this campaign – again with Tenerife, part of the Canary Islands. His club plays in the top Spanish league as well as in Eurocup competition against international clubs.
Guy was averaging about 17 points per game after exploding for a game-high 26 points and six assists in only 20 minutes of play as Tenerife, which scored a crazy 43 points in the third quarter, came back from a 12-point halftime deficit to beat the host Frankfort Skyliners, 104-94, on Oct. 21 in Germany.
One of his American teammates is Vince Hunter (21 points), who finished his college career at UTEP in 2015 and played in the NBA with the Memphis Grizzlies before heading overseas.
With 53 games of NBA experience (he averaged 3.1 points per outing), Guy, now 29, lives with his wife and two young children in Spain.
AFP caught up with him after the game in Frankfurt.
AFP: What was the difference in the third quarter and second half for you guys, especially on offense?
Guy: I just think we came out and played more physical and with a lot more intensity. We played with a lot more purpose on off and defense. Coach (Jaka Lakovic, 48 of Slovenia) said it grey and cold outside (in Frankfurt), and we are used to the Island. I am proud of the way we fought back.
AFP: How hard is it to play on the road in the Euro Cup, being on the Island?
Guy: I think we are the most travelled professional team in the world. It comes with the territory, and we know that. I think they just came out and punched us first. We are a team that shares the ball. We had something like (26) assists I think and only seven turnovers. We forced a few turnovers. We actually have not shot the three well as a team. We know we are capable of that. We were able to do that tonight.
AFP: You were not the only American on the court that won an NCAA title and played in the NBA. What was it like to play against Frankfurt’s Ryan Arcidiacono, who won a national title with Villanova in 2016?
Guy: I definitely remember him at Villanova and with the Knicks and Bulls. I am always happy to play against good competition. We finally figured out how they were kind of playing ball screens, which was giving us trouble. Vince Hunter makes a big difference on both ends of the ball. He was big in the second half. The ball was moving. The confidence was at a all time high. This Eurocup is hit or miss for me. In the first half it feels like it is swish or an air ball. I am still trying to figure it out. It is hard to switch balls. That is not an excuse. We are paid to play. It was falling today. I love these rims – they are very similar to the NBA rims. It was just my night.
AFP: What is it like for you on the Canary Islands?
Guy: It is great – obviously familiar with the club and knowing your role on and off the court is important, and I have been there before. I know most of the guys. We hit it off. My family is with me, and the two boys are learning Spanish. They are five and two. It is hard to complain.
AFP: What are some of the differences and similarities of the NBA and basketball in Europe?
Guy: There are scorers everywhere. Everyone talks about spacing. It is only 40 minutes in Europe. I think anyone is lying if NBA players say they are playing hard for 48 minutes, 82 games. You are bound to take a play off here and there. There is less opportunity here to do that. I love playing in both leagues.
AFP: What was your thought process in coaching as an assistant at Virginia and then returning to playing?
Guy: You know, I needed a break. A lot of these 10-month seasons are tough. If you are on a national team, it is 12 months. I can promise you it is not just Americans that complain. In my opinion, the schedule needs to change at some point. Tony needed a hand. I named my oldest son after him. It worked out good for both of us. Anything he needs, I am there.
AFP: What are your best memories of the 2019 title, and what players or coaches do you stay in touch with most?
Guy: I stay in touch with everybody. I talk to Coach Bennett a ton and Coach Sanchez. Everyone is busy. I talk to Coach Tony a lot. I was in that world as a coach. I tell them, I saw a young guy, and they need to recruit him. You go your own way – but we will always be united.
Across the Pond
Other former Cavs playing overseas this season, per eurobasket.com, include:
- Darion Atkins is playing in Cheminitz, Germany, and was averaging 4.3 points and 3.0 rebounds in late October.
- Mamadi Diakite, a 6-11 center from Guinea who is playing in the United Arab Emirates. He was averaging about seven points and three boards per outing.
- Armaan Franklin is with Rasta Vechta in Germany and is averaging about 11 points and 3.7 rebounds per contest.
- Devon Hall, a guard who had 17 points in 27 minutes of action in a recent loss with Milano in Italy.
- Braxton Key, with a club in Turkey.
- Malik Thomas, who is shining in Belgium with a recent outing of 28 points in just 25 minutes of play.
- Mike Tobey, who had 17 points and 13 rebounds in a recent game for Verona in Italy.
- Devin Tillis has begun his overseas career in Finland after playing for the Cavs last season. He had 13 points and eight boards in a recent contest.
- Jacari White, a guard in his first season out of college is with a club in Belgium. He had five points and one assist in 17 minutes in a recent 113-106 victory.
Support AFP
Share
David Driver
