As time moves closer towards the grand opening of the John Paul Jones Arena on November 12th, Virginia was recently selected to finish 8th in the ACC according to the ACC media day. Certainly most fans in Charlottesville and the team have even higher expectations for their Cavaliers going into the season, specifically reaching the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2001. 

“Obviously I want to make the NCAA tournament, that’s a team goal”, sophomore forward Laurynas Mikalauskas said. “We’re going to try to win the ACC tournament by just playing as hard as we can.”

While most media guides and sports shows like to focus on star point guard Sean Singletary, Virginia’s success depends just as much, if not more, on the other part of the dynamic guard duo: senior captain J.R. Reynolds. It was not that long ago that most fans wondered if Reynolds even had what it takes to be a guard in the ACC. Plenty of questions surrounded Reynolds’ game. Could he handle the drill sergeant mentality of new head coach Dave Leitao? Would he ever be a consistent jump shooter?  Would he be able to step up and be a real leader?

Those questions reached their boiling point on a chilly December evening in 2005. With Singletary out with an injury which would plague him all year long, it was up to Reynolds to pick up the slack against the Fordham Rams.  Reynolds failed, scoring only 8 points on 2 of 8 shooting. To make things worse, the 82% free throw shooter missed two free throws in the last 77 seconds which could have put the game away.  Fordham escaped with a win and Reynolds was left with the blame.

“It stayed on my mind,” Reynolds said.  “I didn’t leave until 2 in the morning practicing and watching game tape.  It’s just one of those things you can’t really explain.”

That game changed J.R., and perhaps his career at Virginia. Against Loyola, Reynolds redeemed himself with a 24 point performance. Since then, he has scored in double figures every game, an impressive 24-game streak.

After failing to answer in the clutch, Reynolds provided the final nail in the coffin against No. 24 North Carolina at U-Hall on January 19th, 2006.  Reynolds scored 10 of his 16 points in the final 11 minutes in the game. With less than 20 seconds left and UNC down by six, Reynolds was the one that grabbed the key rebound off a missed three-pointer to prevent any late charge by the Tar Heels. When senior guard Wes Miller committed the foul on Reynolds, it took him no time to sink a foul shot and put the game out of reach for the defending national champions and giving Virginia their biggest win of the season. “[Scoring is] getting into a rhythm and getting confidence,” Reynolds said. “After Fordham I learned a lot, I didn’t want to have that feeling ever again.”

Those fans who worried if Reynolds could play well on the big stage of the ACC were witness to an impressive display at the end of the 2005-06 campaign. Reynolds scored a combined 85 points in the last 4 games of the season, including a 30 point performance in the Last Ball at U-Hall against Maryland.

For J.R. the numbers don’t lie; J.R. has improved in every facet of his game.

For J.R. the numbers don’t lie; J.R. has improved in every facet of his game.

“[Leitao] doesn’t want us to be good, he wants us to be great,” Reynolds said.  “I need that push because when I’m tired he brings energy and motivation.  He gets his message out to all his players and he does it well.”

However, Reynolds’s most important addition to this team is his leadership. This year, his leadership will truly be on display as he and fellow captain Singletary try to find a consistent third scorer to complement the dynamic duo.  One possible candidate for this position in Reynolds’ mind is sophomore forward Laurynas Mikalauskas.

“Lars is stronger and has improved tremendously,” Reynolds said. “If he stays healthy he is going to be big for us with his rebounding and just the energy he brings to the floor.”

Coming into last season with little expected of him as a freshmen, Mikalauskas commented throughout the year that he felt pressure not only from Leitao but Reynolds to contribute. Reynolds saw potential in his teammate and constantly helped Mikalauskas emerge as a formidable forward. Now Mikalauskas has not just won over the team but the fans as well.

Reynolds saw potential in his teammate and constantly helped Mikalauskas emerge as a formidable forward. Now Mikalauskas has not just won over the team but the fans as well.

“I like playing with energy and they require it every day,” Mikalauskas said. “When you play hard good things happen, like a key defensive rebound or turnover.”

A new season brings new expectations for J.R. and the Cavaliers. Over the off-season, while most college students were working at the mall or relaxing at the beach, Reynolds was part of the Upstate Basketball Touring Team based in New York. Director Mickey Walker explained that Reynolds played a large amount of his time at point guard this summer, as well as averaging 12.7 points per game. The seven-game season gave him valuable experience and the chance to work with some other up and coming players across the country. 

“They were a great bunch of players, I really enjoyed it,” Reynolds said.  “I played the point the whole time and it felt good to get the feeling back.”

Reynolds’s ability to play the point guard position will be the next step in his progression as a basketball player. An admirable third team ACC selection at shooting guard is great, but for Virginia to make a scare in the ACC Reynolds will have to give Singletary time off the ball. While Reynolds made some progress running the offense, he still had more turnovers last year than he did assists, the key statistic for a guard. Hopefully his experience with the Upstate Basketball Touring Team will come in handy.

Reynolds may not give you the acrobatics or showmanship of Singletary, but he is certainly able to deliver memorable plays. His breakaway dunk against Boston College or his game-winning jumper against Wake Forest were certainly shots for the personal highlight reel last season, a repertoire he intends on expanding in his last stint in the orange and blue. J.R. has never been a showboat, always one to let his game do the talking but it appears the nation is starting to listen.  Sports Illustrated recently named Reynolds and Singletary, the 10th best backcourt in the country.  Rivals Inc. echoed the same sentiments, putting Singletary as the 4th best point guard and Reynolds the 6th best shooting guard. These are honors few would have expected a year ago, but are becoming common knowledge as this year rolls around.

“It’s good, but at the same time we have a job to do,” Reynolds said.  “We’ve got goals and for us to be successful Sean and I have to do a great job leading.”

With a leader like J.R. Reynolds on their side, greatness may be only a March away.

---