Ram in Action: Dylan Sheehy-Guiseppi

Noah Fleischman 
Staff Writer

Sophomore guard Dylan Sheehy-Guiseppi was offered a walk-on spot last season as a freshman after receiving little interest from any other college basketball programs. He appeared in four games with the Black and Gold last season, logging three assists and a steal in four minutes.

This season, Sheehy-Guiseppi played four minutes in the exhibition game against UVA-Wise on Oct. 30, recording a layup in the final minute of action against the Cavaliers. The CT sat down with Sheehy-Guiseppi to ask about his journey to the collegiate hardwood.  

Why VCU?

I picked VCU because I really liked the history of the program. They were one of the few schools to offer me a spot to play as a walk-on and give me a chance. I was really all for that, to have a chance be able to play, and a chance to be a part of something that’s much bigger than myself. I was grateful to get the opportunity and as soon as they gave me the opportunity, I took it.

What was the walk-on process like?

I was at a prep school in Vegas and I was emailing a bunch of schools and [VCU] got back to me, [but] not right away. When they did get back to me, they kept giving me more and more interest and when they offered me a walk-on spot, I took it immediately.

You played four minutes and scored two points in the exhibition game against UVA-Wise on Oct. 30. What was it like hearing the crowd’s reaction to your bucket?

In the moment, you don’t really think about it because you’re just in the game, so I didn’t really get to hear all that. Afterwards, you realize ‘Oh that’s pretty nice.’ It feels good, but then you want more.

What has it been like to be on a Division I Basketball team like VCU?

It’s nice, really nice. They take care of you, the fans are great, the atmosphere is great. We are treated like rock stars or celebrities. It’s very nice. [It’s like] getting a dub in Fortnite (laughs). When you get a dub in Fortnite, you’re like ‘Wow, this is nice,’ but you want more. It’s like that. It’s like when you get a dub in Fortnite, that’s what it’s like to be playing for VCU. It’s just a great feeling.  

Is Fortnite something the entire team plays?

Oh, for sure. We all play Fortnite on the team. I stopped playing, I retired from Fortnite and retired No. 1, that’s all I’m going to say (laughs). I retired because I have been studying really hard and I haven’t played in about two months. I got to make sure I get good grades.

How many Fortnite wins did you have?

I honestly don’t know, but I have a good amount, upwards in the 50s.

So if you are the No. 1 Fortnite player on the team, who is the worst?

I have to give it to [sophomore forward] Marcus Santos-Silva because he’s trash. He’s not very good, he always tries to rush people, never communicates with his teammates, it’s ridiculous.

What is your favorite thing to do around campus?

I don’t leave my room much. I go to my classes, my room and the gym. My favorite place to eat is the Village Cafe. The Village is a go-to, the buttermilk pancakes — very good. I would recommend it to anybody honestly.

What do you want the fans to know about you?

I wish there was unlimited words that I could say, but there’s not. If I could only pick one word it would be SYWK.

Soon. You. Will. Know.

What’s the story behind your nickname, Yeah-Yeah?

Growing up people used to call me Yeah-Yeah from The Sandlot, so that’s where it’s from. I always talked a lot, so they would say ‘yeah-yeah, yeah-yeah.’  I love “The Sandlot,” [my] favorite movie.

What are your goals for this season?

Whatever we can do to win. I just want to win and if that means I play, I play. But if that means I don’t play, then I don’t play. Whatever I can do to help the team. I want us to get to the NCAA tournament and make a deep run. That would be the dream goal. I don’t care if I play at all, I just want to win games.

This season, the team plays Texas and Virginia on the road. What do you think that is going to be like?

I think it’s going to be a very intense atmosphere, but I think this year we are going to be ready. We just have to execute, stick to whatever coach says our game plan is and play within ourselves. Don’t let the outside noise get to you because at the end of the day you still have to step on the court, they still have to step on the court and we still have to play basketball. It doesn’t matter what people say.