Basketball

Virginia's Kyle Guy declares for NBA Draft, gives 'every last praise and all glory' to God

By Joshua Doering Apr 17, 2019
Virginia guard Kyle Guy (5) celebrates at the end of the championship game in the NCAA Tournament, April 8, 2019. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Fresh off winning a national championship and earning Most Outstanding Player at the Final Four, Virginia’s Kyle Guy is ready for the next step of his basketball journey. On Tuesday, Guy announced on Twitter he was declaring for the 2019 NBA Draft and hiring an agent.

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At the end of the message, Guy gave thanks to God. “Every last praise and all glory goes to God,” he wrote.

An All-ACC first team selection this season, Guy averaged a team-high 15.4 points per game, shooting 44.9 percent from the field and 42.6 percent from 3-point range.

He exploded for 64 points in Virginia’s final three NCAA Tournament games, 24 of which came in the national championship. Through the Sweet 16, Guy had scored a total of only 22 points in the tournament. In the semifinal, though, he scored six points in eight seconds to help the Cavaliers get past Auburn. Three of those points came on the game-winning free throws with 0.6 seconds left.

Although he is planning to sign with an agent, Guy has not completely ruled out the possibility of returning to Virginia for his senior season. Players with college eligibility remaining who want to come back must withdraw from the draft pool by May 29. The draft will take place on June 20.

Guy is not currently ranked among ESPN’s top 100 prospects. With all the uncertainty that comes with the draft process, he knows first-hand the importance of trusting in Christ.

“If you shy away, that’s when anxiety will come and haunt you,” Guy told USA Today. “I won’t shy away. Being secure in myself, my faith, my family, I’m not going to be afraid of anything.”

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