Story Links
Jan. 16, 2005
by Cathy Bongiovi Stewart
Patience, hard work, and good shooting have earned sophomore Brenna McGuire a starting role for Virginia this season. While the Cavaliers are loaded with upperclassmen, McGuire’s persistence has paid off.
“I bring the outside shot and confidence to the team,” McGuire said. “They can count on me to make the shot.”
UVa’s top three-point shooter, the 5-11 guard from Winchester, Mass., stands third in team scoring and has 40 treys to date, already surpassing her total from last year. She hit five shots from long range in the wins over Liberty and St. Francis, just shy of the school record. By the time she graduates, McGuire should rank among the top in Virginia’s career three-point shooting.
“I like that I’m the one they look to,” McGuire shared. “I just go with that. I don’t feel any extra pressure.”
“Brenna is a sharpshooter who can bury shots under pressure,” head coach Debbie Ryan said. “She has developed a nice mid-range game, and we really rely on her for scoring.”
With eight consecutive wins and the ACC season just underway, McGuire is focused on her short-range and long-range goals.
“My goals are the team goals- to be better than last year, to be a voice in the ACC that people fear, and to make the NCAA Tournament,” the sophomore said. “My personal goals are to stay strong and confident. (Before graduation) I’d like to win an ACC title and a national championship.”
But for all she has accomplished so far, and her goals for the future, McGuire remains humble and unassuming. This fall, she turned down an interview opportunity with USA Today, choosing to stay out of the national spotlight.
“I’m not the main focus of our team right now. I know that, and I accept that role,” McGuire said. “Before I do an article like that, I want to make a name for myself on the court. I just thought it wasn’t the right time. Maybe next year or my senior year.”
The youngest of Al and Georgia McGuire’s three children, McGuire has followed in the family footsteps. Her grandfather is the late Al McGuire, the legendary coach. Her father played basketball at Marquette and for the New York Knicks, and her older brother A.J. played basketball for Cornell. McGuire depends upon her family for support, and her parents attend every Virginia game- home and away.
“It means a lot. I love to have them there,” McGuire shared. “It’s support from my family. I really, really like having them there.”
Once her time on Grounds is complete, the sociology major wouldn’t mind playing in the WNBA, although she knows she has a lot of work still ahead of her at Virginia.
“If it happens, it happens. If I don’t make it there, it’s not the end of the world,” she added. “If I do, it would be an honor to play in the WNBA.”
Luckily for Virginia, McGuire will don the orange and blue uniform for two more seasons.
“Every game is so important and down to the wire,” she said. “You have to come every game.”
Get to Know Brenna McGuire
FAVORITES
Food: fruitColor: blueAthlete: Michael JordanMovie: Dumb & Dumber
My favorite place to play on the road is …
Duke, because all of the tradition in that gym.
Three words that best describe me are …
caring, funny, social.
My advice to young athletes is …
practice, practice, practice.
The person I admire most is …
my grandfather.
The coolest place I’ve visited is …
Paris.
The best thing about being a Cavalier is …
the winning tradition.
I chose Virginia, because …
of the great education and the great coaching staff.
I admire Debbie Ryan, because …
she never gives up.