For any basketball team, having an outside shooter provides a resource that can ignite offensive runs, silence opponents or get a crowd on their feet faster than almost anything else.
Not only do three-point shooters give teams these psychological advantages, they also put extra points on the board when it matters most. For the women's basketball team, sophomore Brenna McGuire is that player.
McGuire, who made a name for herself as an outside shooter even as a freshman, has come into her own in the first few games of this season. Last year, the 5-foot-11-inch guard made 31 of her 90 three-point attempts and averaged 13.9 minutes per game. This season, McGuire has already sunk 19 of her 49 outside shots, averaging 22.9 minutes per game. She has increased her points per game by more than three.
For McGuire, basketball runs in her blood. One of her older brothers, A.J., played basketball at Cornell University. Her father, Al, played at Marquette University and for the New York Knicks. Most famed of all, McGuire's grandfather, also named Al, was a famed coaching legend who transformed Marquette's basketball program.
The older Al, who passed away in 2001, led his team to a 78.7 percent winning record in his 13-year tenure. His Warriors captured the NCAA championship against North Carolina in 1977.
McGuire, while possessing a unique talent, does credit her family to some degree in her development on the court.
"My dad taught me to shoot the three," McGuire said. "Basically I've grown up being a point guard and I've always just shot the three very well."
McGuire's role as an outside shooter is becoming more and more solidified as time passes and she becomes more experienced. Coach Debbie Ryan's faith in her ability has become obvious in the plays she runs in certain situations, and McGuire's teammates are willing and looking to get her the ball when they need a three.
"She doesn't hesitate, and that's the difference," Ryan said. "We know she can shoot from the Wachovia sign [in University Hall] -- that's our indication that she's still in range."
While McGuire may be able to sink shots from far outside, she also says she knows when teamwork is the right way to go. She has said that she and Ryan have not explicitly discussed when it is a good idea to shoot and when it is not, but she feels comfortable with making her own decisions.
"I think I know what a good shot is and what a bad shot is," McGuire said. "When I get the ball, that's my thing, to look and try to shoot and if not I'll pass it up. But my first thing is to score so I think [Ryan] understands that."
Only a sophomore, McGuire insists that she is continually developing and improving.
"I think my defense has improved this year, but I think I need to work on my ball-handling a little bit more," she said. "I always have stuff to work on."
With several years still ahead of her as a Cavalier, McGuire has more than a decent opportunity to take her famous last name and make it her own. With confidence, a drive to improve, talent and an eye for the game, McGuire will likely be an increasingly valuable asset for Virginia and an increasingly serious outside threat to her opponents.
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