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McKneely playing pivotal role for Virginia in first season

It hasn’t quite been a full year since Isaac McKneely capped off his historic prep career at Poca High School with a Class AA state championship. McKneely left the Dots as one of the most decorated players in school history, a two-time recipient of the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year and Bill Evans Award who averaged 20 points in his final seasons for head coach Allen Osborne.

The 6-foot-4 guard is now turning heads for the University of Virginia. He has played in all 18 of the Cavaliers’ games this season and is averaging six points as a newcomer to college basketball.

“High school to college is a difficult transition, but I am thankful to have played at Poca High School for coach Osborne,” McKneely said. “He does similar things to what we do at UVA with the pack line defense and similar offenses. Playing for coach Osborne helped me get ready for this level. You cannot simulate the physicality of this level.

“I am still transitioning, but becoming increasingly confident every game. I like where I am now and will help the team win and contribute however I can.”

McKneely has gone toe-to-toe with a few of the country’s most talented guards, including Caleb Love from North Carolina and Keyonte George from Baylor. 

However, the freshman says no significant challenge has been more difficult than time management as a college student.

“In high school, I did not have to apply myself as much as I do in college, especially with basketball with everything from lifting, class, practice and homework. It is a lot to balance as a Division I athlete. I am still trying to figure that out. Another change has been time management with balancing time for schoolwork and basketball evenly.”

McKneely believes he is a different player from the last time he played competitively in West Virginia in March 2022.

“I have gotten stronger. Our strength coach here [Mike Curtis] has done a great job with me with not only my upper body, but my lower body strength,” McKneely noted. “I feel like I am a lot quicker now. I am shooting better, especially in my last few games. I have improved on all cylinders, and that is a credit to the coaching staff and going against guys like Kihei [Clark] every day in practice.”

McKneely’s minutes have increased throughout the season. He’s sixth on the team with an average of 20 minutes and playing the most of the Cavaliers’ four freshmen.

McKneely’s made 42 percent of his 72 3-point attempts, giving him a higher percentage from behind the arc than overall, where he’s 38 percent. 

Since December 31, McKneely is 17 for 31 on triples over his last seven games, six of which Virginia (15-3, 7-2) has won, including five straight.

“I was not playing up to my full capabilities, regarding confidence level and aggressiveness, early in the season,” McKneely said. “During the beginning of the season, especially the bigger games against Baylor, Illinois, and Michigan, I was not playing as much as I like, but that is on me. I have been more aggressive these last few games, and coach [Tony] Bennett has seen that. I am thankful he believes in me, tells me to be aggressive, shoot whenever I have a shot, and continue improving on the defensive end.”

It has almost been a year since McKneely announced his commitment to Virginia. The relationship between he and Bennett was a critical reason he chose the Cavaliers, and that bond continues to blossom on.

“Coach Bennett is a down-to-earth guy,” McKneely said. “He will check in with us off the court. Coach Bennett cares about his guys. He is different on the court because he will push us, especially me. That way I can be the best version of myself. I appreciate him doing that. He keeps telling me to continue being aggressive and confident. It is great having a head coach that believes in me the way he does. I am going to continue to prove him right.”





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