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DECEMBER 2023 15 Second-year guard Isaac McKneely enjoyed a successful start to his University of Virginia basketball career in 2022-23. The former West Virginia Mr. Basketball averaged 6.7 points and 2.2 rebounds per game in 33 contests, including one start. McKneely shot a team-best 39.2 percent from three-point range and sank two or more three-pointers in 16 contests. His season was highlighted by scoring 10 or more points in eight contests, including 10 points against Duke and 12 versus Furman to finish the season. McKneely also earned the trust of head coach Tony Bennett on the defensive end and averaged 21.5 minutes per contest. "I thought the season went pretty well," McKneely said. "Coming into the season, I didn't know really what to expect. But I worked my way into the rotation and was the sixth or seventh man off the bench. "I was happy with Coach Bennett putting the respect on me and believing in me to be able to go out there and do what I can do. So, I thought my first year was pretty good, but I'm excited for another year." UVA lost four of its top five scorers from last season, including its top three in Armaan Franklin (12.4 points per game), Jayden Gard- ner (12.0) and Kihei Clark (10.7). McKneely will be counted on to score, but he also knows his offseason strength and conditioning work will help him improve on both the offensive and defensive sides of the basketball as his minutes increase during his second year on Grounds. "I was just really in the weight room this summer," McKneely said. "I put on like five or six pounds and really lived in the weight room and on the court. I worked a lot with the graduate assistants and managers, just trying to perfect all aspects of my game. I'm ready for a good year." Virginia associate head coach Jason Williford liked what he saw from McKneely last season and expects even more improvement from the second-year guard. "Last year, I thought Isaac gave us a good lift as far as shooting the ball," Williford said. "I think he shot a really good percentage from three-point range. This year we're expecting more of that, a little more aggression offensively looking for his shot and continued growth defensively. "I think he's gotten better sliding, being on-ball. He's got to con- tinue to do that and give us both aspects of his game." All-ACC guard Reece Beekman, two-way performer Ryan Dunn and guard Taine Murray join McKneely as UVA's top returnees from last season's team that went 25-8 en route to its sixth ACC regular- season title and ninth consecutive NCAA Tournament berth under Bennett, who enters his 15th season leading the Hoos. Beekman, Dunn, McKneely and Murray will be counted on to lead the Hoos along with transfers Jake Groves (Oklahoma), Andrew Rohde (St. Thomas) and Jordan Minor (Merrimack) and redshirts Dante Harris and Leon Bond III. Newcomer Blake Buchanan has contributed immediately. Elijah Gertrude, Anthony Robinson, Christian Bliss and Desmond Roberts are redshirting, and walk-ons Bryce Walker and Tristan How round out the Cavaliers' 2023-24 roster. "I'm excited about this group and season," McKneely said. "Person- ally, I just like to contribute to winning and do what I can to con- tribute to winning. I want to win the ACC and make a run in March." — Erich Bacher ISAAC MCKNEELY SETS SIGHTS ON SECOND-YEAR SUCCESS McKneely averaged 6.7 points and 2.2 rebounds per game in 33 contests last season, including one start, and he posted 10 points against Duke and 12 versus Furman. (Photo by Jim Daves/courtesy UVA)