Kent State has had some great point guards the last 27 years. They have come in all shapes, sizes and ability. Some of have been more combo guards, some have been pure point guards. Some of have been able to score more, and some of have been facilitators.
Andrew Mitchell and Trevor Huffman teamed up in the late 90’s and early 2000’s as a mix of both styles and led KSU to an Elite Eight in 2002.
DeAndre Haynes was a leader, and evolved into MAC Player of the Year in 2006. Jordan Mincy was a pest defensively and developed his outside shot near the end of his career. Sincere Carry was an absolute killer, could score from anywhere and had that closer mentality. And on down the line through the history of Kent State Basketball I could go…
Cian Medley is back to be Kent State’s primary ball handler, leader and floor general in 2025-2026. Last season, the Saint Louis transfer was in the starting lineup from the jump. Medley had some scoring outbursts, with 22 against Toledo and 24 versus Ohio, but for the Flashes, and for Medley, he needs to be consistent, solid and contribute to winning at all times, and if that means scoring some nights, so be it.
Medley will look to improve on his 26% shooting from the three point line, but for Head Coach Rob Senderoff, winning is ultimately the only statistic that matters for a Kent State point guard. With Kent State having lost Jamal Sumlin for the season with an ankle injury and surgery, even more may be on Medley’s plate.
“Another returner who I think really has stepped up would be Cian Medley at the point guard spot,” Senderoff said on Tuesday’s MAC Media Day hosted by The Field of 68. “Right now our team is a little short on guards. One of the players that did return, Jamal Sumlin, he got hurt prior to the season and is out for the year so he was a guy we were really relying on as a combo guard who could handle some of the point guard duties as well but without him, Cian has a lot on his shoulders as a returner.
“He’s done a really good job here in the preseason trying to be a leader, understanding from that position scoring isn’t what you’re judged on, winning is what you’re judged on.”
Being a leader and winning is certainly nothing new for Medley. He played at tradition rich Camden High School in New Jersey with several other division college players and potential future NBA players. Medley was the leader of that team.
“Now he’s being asked, even more so than last year, because last year he was a new guy coming in as a transfer, but this year being a returner he has a lot on his shoulders and point guard play is so important in college basketball,” Senderoff said Tuesday. “You really only go as far as your point guards can take you, and there’s a lot on his plate.”
Senderoff told Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook, “Something that all guys have to battle is, just be the best version of who you are. I was asked by somebody over the summer, Is it possible that Cian scores more this year? It’s possible, if that’s where his mind is – I’ve got to score more – then he probably won’t be as good a player. If he worries about running the team better and playing with more confidence, as far as I know what I’m supposed to be doing, and how to be successful, then I think he’ll have a great, great year.”