Tony Bennett, Virginia Are Experiencing Roster Turnover After Winning The National Title
There is a first time for everything.
Last month Tony Bennett and Virginia were cutting down the nets in Minneapolis Minnesota after their 85-77 win over Texas Tech in the national title game to win their first national title.
This month however, Virginia is experiencing something they probably are not used to and that is roster turnover.
Kyle Guy declared for the NBA Draft The junior guard led the Cavaliers in scoring each of the past two years, including 15.4 points per game in 2018-19, and he scored 24 points in the team's national championship game win over Texas Tech on April 8. Later he announced he was staying in the draft. “according to http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26581870/guy-staying-draft-return-virginia
Along with him point guard Ty Jerome who averaged 13.6 points, 5.5 assists and 4.2 rebounds during his junior season also declared for the NBA Draft along with De”Andre Hunter. Hunter earned consensus second-team All-America honors, NABC National Defensive Player of the Year, All-ACC first-team and ACC Defensive Player of the honors after his breakout season in 2018-19. He averaged 15.2 points and 5.1 rebounds, while shooting 52 percent from the field, 43.8 percent from 3-point range and 78.3 percent from the free throw line. Hunter racked up 10 20-point games, including a career-high 27 points against Texas Tech in the NCAA championship game. He averaged 12.4 points and 4.4 rebounds in 71 career games. “according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/15/mens-basketball-hunter-and-jerome-to-enter-2019-nba-draft.aspx?path=mbball
Like Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome and De’Andre Hunter Mamadi Diakite declared for the NBA Draft but he can return to Charlottesville. Diakite enjoyed a breakout season in 2018-19, averaging 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocked shots. He averaged 10.5 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.7 blocked shots during the NCAA Tournament. Diakite sank the dramatic game-tying jump shot with 0.1 second remaining in regulation during Virginia's 80-75 overtime win against Purdue in the Elite Eight. Diakite was named to the NCAA All-South Region Team, and his 63 blocked shots rank sixth on UVA's single-season list.”according to https://virginiasports.com/news/2019/4/17/mens-basketball-diakite-to-enter-2019-nba-draft-eligible-to-return-to-uva.aspx?path=mbball but their is a possibility he will return to Charlottesville.
The invites have been made from the G League Elite Camp to the NBA Draft Combine.”according to https://247sports.com/college/virginia/Article/Virginia-Cavaliers-Basketball-G-League-Elite-Camp-wraps-for-UVA-Mamadi-Diakite-NBA-Draft-Combine-132036599/
According to Jonathan Givony, Virginia Cavaliers forward Mamadi Diakite was not among the invites to the NBA Combine. “according to https://247sports.com/college/virginia/Article/Virginia-Cavaliers-Basketball-G-League-Elite-Camp-wraps-for-UVA-Mamadi-Diakite-NBA-Draft-Combine-132036599/
Without an invite to the NBA Draft Combine, the odds are raised considerably of his return to UVA. “according to https://247sports.com/college/virginia/Article/Virginia-Cavaliers-Basketball-G-League-Elite-Camp-wraps-for-UVA-Mamadi-Diakite-NBA-Draft-Combine-132036599/
With players leaving to take their talents to the next level, how will Tony Bennett and Virginia adjust since they probably are not used to this compared to a coach and a team who has roster turnover every year like Mike Krzyzewski at Duke?