Top 23 Kyle Guy moments in honor of his birthday

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.

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

19. When he had the Guy Bun

This was an actual hairstyle he had for the WHOLE season!

Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images

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.

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.

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

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

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.

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:

After the game, KG compared it to one of his favorite movies:

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.

Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images

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.

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

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!