Spiders men’s basketball gets double dose of senior returns from Gilyard and Cayo
RICHMOND, Va. (BVM) — The term “not done yet” has been one that has carried significant weight for the University of Richmond men’s basketball team this week. In a week’s time, not one but two Richmond seniors, guard Jacob Gilyard and forward Nathan Cayo, announced their decisions to use the NCAA’s additional year of eligibility granted to student-athletes competing in fall and winter sports due to the effects of COVID-19.
Gilyard was the first to make his announcement on March 28. In a Twitter post, the senior guard said, “Thankful for all the people who helped me along the way, but we aren’t done yet. See you next year.”
With Gilyard’s return, the Spiders not only get back one of the best defenders in the Atlantic 10, but also the entire country. Gilyard led Division I in steals for the second straight year and was named a Lefty Driesell Defensive All-American and is currently one of 10 players vying for the Naismith National Defensive Player of the Year Award. This past season, Gilyard averaged 12.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 3.6 steals and was named second team All-A-10 and second team all-district by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
Thankful for all the people who helped me along the way, but we aren’t done yet. See you next year ♠️ pic.twitter.com/IQlfBcmgx2
— Jacob Gilyard (@G1LYARD) March 28, 2021
Fellow senior Cayo followed in his classmates’ footsteps. In a Twitter announcement, Cayo’s message was simple: “Not done yet.”
Not done yet ⚠️ pic.twitter.com/k5cz99AiJr
— Nathan Cayo 🇭🇹 (@ncayo4) April 2, 2021
Cayo will return to the Spiders after he averaged 12.2 points and 4.4 rebounds this past season. The senior broke the 1,000-point mark of his collegiate career vs Saint Joseph’s in March and finished the season with 1,047 points, good for 45th on the Spiders career scoring list. One of the most efficient shooters in Spiders’ program history, Cayo will enter his final season with a career field goal percentage of 54.9 percent, fourth-highest in Richmond history.
The return of two key seniors is great for a Richmond squad that finished 14-9 in the regular season and advanced to the NIT quarterfinals. With a number of successes this past season including beating No. 10 Kentucky and NCAA tournament-member Morehead state, the ability to keep most of the Spiders unit intact will likely pay dividends for the team next year.
With two of its eldest statesmen returning for one more year, Spiders fans hope the team is not done with bringing wins and awards home to Richmond.
