Guy caps an incredible high school career as Indiana's Mr. Basketball
Back in 2012, when four-star guard Kyle Guy was a freshman at Lawrence Central High School, he told both of his parents that he wanted to be Mr. Basketball in the state of Indiana.
No big deal right?
An award won by the likes of Oscar Robertson, Steve Alford, Sean May, and Eric Gordon...And Guy, before he had yet to play a high school game, already had his eyes on that prize.
His parents, Katy and Joe, supported his aspiration, but knew they needed to be realistic as well.
“When parents hear their kids say that, they say ‘Yeah go for it. Whatever’,” Guy told CavsCorner this week. “At the time, I didn’t really realize it’d be reachable.”
A long shot, yes. But reachable all the same.
Last Thursday, Guy capped off one of the best high school careers in his school’s history and one of the best months in his life as he was named Indiana’s Mr. Basketball at the IndyStar Indiana Sports Banquet.
“I wanted to put my name down in Indiana history to always be remembered, to be a legend,” he explained. “I didn’t really think it was reachable until this year and then I had a really good season.”
The moment when he heard his name was almost surreal.
“Quinn Buckner was the one who announced it and they went through all of the nominees,” he recalled. “He then said ‘The winner is’ and he didn’t pause for a long time, but to me it felt like forever. He then said my name and I just froze. I was full of emotions and I just hugged my parents and went up there and gave my acceptance speech. It was really cool.”
The 6-foot-2, 170-pound UVa signee finished his high school career with 1,614 points and averaged more than 23 points and five rebounds per game during his senior season.
Guy’s past two months have been pretty epic. Prior to being named Mr. Basketball, he earned a spot in the McDonald’s All-American Game back in late-March.
“I was on the bubble," he said, "I didn’t really know if I was going to make it or not. I had a few of my close friends and family over when they announced it and then I heard my name called. That was a thrill. All sorts of emotions were going through my mind because that was a goal that I had set and I told everyone I was going to do.”
During the game, Guy posted 7 points and 2 assists as the West defeated the East 114-107.
“I was pinching myself the entire time,” he said. “The thrill of being there the whole week was just amazing. It was a very well put together event by everyone involved and it was just awesome to be apart of.”
He became the 11th UVa recruit to play in the game and also got to take part in both the 3-point shootout and the dunk contest.
“I wasn’t supposed to be in the dunk contest, I was only supposed to do the three-point,” Guy said. “They needed a couple more people so I just thought I’d dunk a couple of times on ESPN and get out of the way of all of these high flyers. I never planned on advancing.”
After finishing second to Kentucky signee Malik Monk in the 3-point contest, Guy wowed the nation by making it to the finals of the dunk contest with the highest overall score of all competitors, only to fall just short of the title.
“I had only tried one of the dunks I did before the contest,” he said. “Any of the other dunks I did I was just making up on the spot and said what the heck. I just let my adrenalin do the rest.”
Guy won the backing of social media that night as he is likely to win over Cavalier fans. In the process, he's also likely to make fans of other ACC schools hope he doesn’t spend all four years in Charlottesville.
He brings a certain swagger and charisma to the floor, shushing visiting crowds and opposing teams. Some may find Guy somewhat cocky but he’s just having fun in his element.
“I just love to have fun on the basketball court,” he said. “I know some people may not like the way I go about it but I’m just out there to win and have a good time.”
UVa’s European trip is just four months away and Guy is in the process switching from high school mode to college mode all before he’s even graduated.
“I’ve got some all-star games here coming up before I graduate on June 9,” Guy said of the coming month. “I then have to be on Grounds June 13. I’m really excited but I’m also really focused. That’s why I’m working so hard right now, so I can be prepared so I can come in right away and help the team.”
With the departure of four key players, Guy knows there is an immediate opportunity and need for him to be a vital piece during his freshman season.
“I’m hoping to be able to work my way into playing and not just being a practice player,” he said. “I know I’ll have to earn it. I want to help this team because I think we are going to be really special. We have a lot of pieces here so I’m really excited and I’m looking forward to it.”
Of course, Guy is one member of a star-studded class that Tony Bennett brought in. It's a very balanced, very talented group that Rivals.com ranked No. 8 nationally.
“All four of us, we don’t care about rankings individually,” Guy said. “But putting all of our four rankings together and being ranked as high as we are as a team is pretty neat. We are a Top-10 class coming in next year so there is going to be a lot of heat on us so we are just preparing so we can fill those shoes.”
Next March, Guy could be living a dream that he’s had for a long time and be doing something that he’s always wanted to do.
“When I was watching March Madness, I mean, that’s every kid's dream,” Guy said. “Every kid in America watches college basketball when it comes to March Madness. You can’t help but scream whether it’s your favorite team or not when there is a buzzer beater or there’s a great game.
"Just being in that environment," he added, "and in that atmosphere, I just can’t wait."