/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67189869/usa_today_12500507.0.jpg)
It is the one-and-only Kyle Guy’s 23rd birthday, so in order to celebrate, we are counting down 23 of our favorite memories of the GOAT.
What more is there to say? Let’s get to it.
23. Bubble Kyle living his best bubble life
Guy is currently in the NBA Bubble in Orlando with the Sacramento Kings, and has spent time fishing and golfing (in addition to the basketball of course). He took to the courts for his Jordan birthday. No, not those courts.
22. When Ty Jerome and De’Andre Hunter surprise KG with a birthday cookie
For his last birthday, Guy was at the NBA 2019 Rookie Photo Shoot with former teammates Ty Jerome and De’Andre Hunter. Jerome and Hunter, the other two-thirds of “The Big Three”, surprised Guy with a cookie cake and a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday. The sweetest.
#NBARooks surprise @kylejguy5 on his birthday! pic.twitter.com/KRZm2u0vJ0
— NBA (@NBA) August 11, 2019
21. When he nearly hit the game-winner vs FSU
First year Kyle Guy almost had a big game winner against Florida State at home on December 31, 2016, giving the Hoos a 58-57 lead with about 10 seconds remaining. Although close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades, the clutch shooting was on display (and so was the man bun) early on in his career.
20. When he busted out the dance moves
The rook didn’t have to go that hard, but HE DID.
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) August 11, 2020
Happy birthday @kylejguy! pic.twitter.com/MnwMU60zYs
19. When he had the Guy Bun
This was an actual hairstyle he had for the WHOLE season!
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21728500/640666002.jpg.jpg)
18. When he got Kyle Dog
KG + Puppy = the best.
17. When he was a McDonald’s All-American
Guy was the most recent Virginia player to participate in the McDonald’s All-America game, finishing second in both the three-point shooting and dunk competitions. He definitely did not disappoint.
Kyle Guy is not human. #McDAAG pic.twitter.com/uhCWFuI9v7
— ESPNU (@ESPNU) March 29, 2016
16. When he shared his post-UMBC emotions
It’s not easy sharing your emotions, and it’s not easy being the face of the program that became the first No. 1 seed to lose to a No. 16 seed. Guy did both, embracing the loss, making the most of it, and sharing his thoughts in a raw Facebook post.
He later spoke with SB Nation and detailed his journey post-UMBC about how he learned to live with his anxiety.
15. When he scored his first career NBA points
In January in a game against the Chicago Bulls, Guy got some 4th quarter run. He took advantage of a screen from teammate Harry Giles, then pulled up for a jumper from just inside the three-point arc for his first career NBA points.
Kyle Guy’s first career NBA bucket‼️ pic.twitter.com/Oos6WA9RRM
— Hoos In The NBA (@hoosinthenba) January 25, 2020
14. When he supported the Virginia Football team...
...and brought his best friend National Championship Trophy with him.
13. When he had a big day at VCU
The Hoos hit the road for Richmond to take on the VCU Rams early in the 2017-18 season. Guy and the entire Virginia staff — including coaches and support folks — got heckled on their way into the arena. In typical Kyle Guy fashion, he used it to his advantage and dropped a then-career high of 29 points on 5-for-9 shooting from three, and 11-for-20 shooting for the game.
12. When he got his ring
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21728518/usa_today_13351584.jpg)
11. When he heard his named called at the Draft
Late in the second round, Guy heard his name called with the 55th overall pick by the New York Knicks. He would later be traded to the Sacramento Kings, and the moment is so, so sweet.
Kyle Guy Draft ReactionThat Draft Day feeling
Posted by Sacramento Kings on Thursday, June 20, 2019
10. When he shut up the Maryland fans
Thanks to some unfriendly scheduling, Virginia’s first true road game following the loss to UMBC ended up being in College Park against the Terps in the 2018-19 ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The Maryland fans were ready with posters, signs, tees, and lots of choice words. Kyle Guy was ready with lots and lots of threes. He finished with 18 points on 5-for-9 shooting beyond the arc.
“Before the game they [the students] were showing me selfies of me and my fiancé trying to get in my head, and they had the sign of me on my knees at half court and stuff so, that’s their fault,” Guy told Streaking the Lawn after the game.
9. When he hit the behind-the-back pass against Oklahoma in the NCAA tournament
Check it out the whole play starting with Jerome’s steal at the 7:13 mark:
8. When he ripped out the hearts of UNC fans with a four-point play
Trailing by three at the Dean Dome in 2019, Guy finished through contact for a big three and the shot at the four-point play. His amped up march towards the student section wearing UMBC jerseys just made it that much better. The Hoos would go on to win 69-61.
7. When he was honest about being scared
“I could lie to you and tell you I knew I was going to hit them,” Guy told Tracy Wolfson after hitting the game winning free throws against Auburn. “But I was terrified.”
6. When he made it rain at the Carrier Dome
It might been an indoor arena, but Guy was making it rain in Syracuse in 2019 with 25 points on a career-high eight made threes. He went 8-for-10 from beyond the arc as the Hoos shot 18-for-25 (72%) for the game in a runaway second half win.
5. When he dunked all over Virginia Tech
Guy once again showed his hops, this time at Cassel Coliseum in February of 2019 against Virginia Tech for a put back tip dunk:
Kyle Guy tip dunk! pic.twitter.com/IBkOm0gUZv
— Will Ojanen (@WillsWorldMN) February 19, 2019
After the game, KG compared it to one of his favorite movies:
Lol one of my all time favorites.. pic.twitter.com/x0KPoPnADo
— Kyle J Guy (@kylejguy) February 20, 2019
4. When he kept the Hoos in it
A lot of attention is given to the free throws against Auburn — and rightfully so — but his shot that made it a one-point game with seven seconds left needs to be celebrated.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/21728081/1140878163.jpg.jpg)
3. When he hit his Purdue second-half reset
Just before halftime in the Elite Eight game against Purdue, Guy hit the deck hard. Although his cries of pain from an ankle injury sent every Cavalier fan into a panic, Guy came out in the second half a new man. He hit five three-pointers — all in the second half — and finished with his first career double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds.
2. When he helped Virginia win a National Championship
There are several things on this countdown that lead to this point, but Guy was instrumental in helping the Cavaliers achieve the ultimate goal. He was named the 2019 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Player, and he earned First Team All-ACC and a consensus spot on Third-Team All-America.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/16183059/usa_today_12500472.jpg)
1. When he came through in the clutch
Was there any other option for No. 1? Down two with 0.6 seconds remaining against Auburn in the 2019 Final Four, Guy headed to the line to take three free throws. He calmly — and rather quickly, to be honest — canned all three, giving Virginia a one-point victory and a spot in the National Championship game. KG finished with 15 points in the game.
What is your favorite KG memory? Leave a comment below!