As the collegiate basketball season begins to unfold with Virginia supporters cheering on their current Cavaliers, there are several former members of the program garnering attention for their contributions during the NBA's early action. Here are the Virginia standouts who have made notable contributions to their team’s success during the first month of the season.
Jay Huff — Memphis Grizzlies
NBA journeyman Jay Huff has found a new, warm home with the Memphis Grizzlies. After the Class of 2021 alumnus went undrafted a few years ago, he juggled between teams, struggling to find a consistent place in the big leagues.
But in late July, the Grizzlies gave Huff a chance and signed him to a two-way contract, which placed him on his fourth NBA team in four years. After proving his value with three double-digit scoring games in the first five contests of the season, Memphis converted his two-way deal into a lucrative, four-year standard NBA contract in October.
Huff has since shined in his role off the bench, averaging career highs of 9.2 points and 1.6 blocks in just under 15 minutes per game. In his most electric NBA performance thus far, Huff poured in 20 points Nov. 2 against the Philadelphia 76ers, draining five three-pointers while shooting 70 percent from the field. He has connected on over 40 percent of his three-pointers in 2024-25.
Huff has also thrived on the defensive side of the ball. His towering 7-foot-1 frame helped him tally a season-high six blocks Nov. 10 against the Portland Trail Blazers. He ranks top 10 in the NBA in blocks per game while coming off the bench. Huff is a key contributor for the Grizzlies, who are fighting for a playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Ty Jerome — Cleveland Cavaliers
Ty Jerome, once an integral part of Virginia’s 2019 national title run, has found himself in a similar role this season — hoping to win a championship, this time with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jerome is technically in his second year with Cleveland, but he played in only two games last season due to a right ankle sprain. Like Huff, he seems to have found his groove in 2024-25.
Jerome is averaging 10.7 points, 2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.2 steals for a top ranked Cavaliers team that sits first in the NBA in team points, field goal percentage and three-point percentage. In his first start of the season, Jerome dropped a career-high 24 points and eight assists in a win over the Charlotte Hornets. He is a valuable bench player for a squad with All-Star guards Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.
Jerome’s efficiency has been off the charts as he is shooting career highs of 60.4 percent from the field and 54.1 percent from three, which both rank top 10 in the NBA. During the Cavaliers historic start to the season, Jerome will look to continue flourishing as a crucial piece to their championship puzzle.
Ryan Dunn — Phoenix Suns
Ryan Dunn is already looking like the steal of the 2024 NBA Draft. Dunn was selected 28th overall by the Phoenix Suns in June but has earned himself large responsibility for a team that sits sixth in the loaded Western Conference.
The rookie is seeing over 18 minutes per game and has recently found himself in Phoenix’s starting lineup after NBA MVP Kevin Durant went down with a calf injury last week. Dunn has been providing a steady average of 6.9 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting an improved 32.2 percent from the arc on over four attempts per game.
Dunn was not a high volume shooter coming into the league, but he ranks top six in three-pointers made per game amongst rookies. His defense has also been sharp — when guarded by Dunn, All-NBA forwards Demar Derozan, LeBron James and Paul George have been held to six points, two points and two points respectively.
Deandre Hunter — Atlanta Hawks
Deandre Hunter has only featured in four games in 2024-25 due to inflammation in his right knee that popped up early in the year. In that small sample size of games, Hunter has been elite, pouring in an average of 20.5 points to go with 4.5 rebounds in 26 minutes per game. In his first appearance back from injury Nov. 15, he scored 22 points in 21 minutes off the bench in a win over the Washington Wizards.
In his two seasons with Virginia from 2017 to 2019, and six NBA seasons since, production has never been a question for Hunter. But injuries have kept him sidelined more than he would have liked, as he has only played 60 or more games in two of his five full campaigns. He will have to work back into good shape for a Hawks team that is trying to make noise in a wide open Eastern Conference.
Trey Murphy III — New Orleans Pelicans
Trey Murphy III, a Class of 2021 alumnus in his fourth year with the New Orleans Pelicans, signed a four-year, $112 million contract extension with the Pelicans prior to the NBA’s opening week.
His 2024-25 debut was postponed due to a right hamstring strain he suffered during the offseason, but with patience, he made his return 12 games later in a Nov. 11 matchup with the Brooklyn Nets. He has started in three games since, averaging 15.5 points and five rebounds. His presence has proved vital for a Pelicans team reeling from injuries.
Similar to Hunter, Murphy will just need to keep himself healthy this season. His elite three-point shooting and defensive efficiency will have the Pelicans in good hands if he can.
Sam Hauser — Boston Celtics
Like Murphy, his former Cavalier teammate, Sam Hauser has made a speedy recovery after missing the first three games of the season due to lower back pain.
Hauser is averaging 7.5 points and 3.5 rebounds off the bench for the Boston Celtics, who currently sit second in the Eastern Conference. He has aided Boston's astronomical offense that ranks top three in points per game and first in total three-pointers made. In a recent win over the Brooklyn Nets Nov. 13, Hauser showcased his marksmanship as he lasered in four three-pointers out of 10 attempts.
Other Cavaliers currently in the NBA include Reece Beekman of the Golden State Warriors and Malcolm Brogdon and Anthony Gill of the Washington Wizards. Beekman, a Class of 2024 alumnus, is playing on a two-way contract for the Warriors and has appeared in two games during his rookie season. In Washington, Brogdon recently returned from injury while Gill has seen limited minutes.
Between standout seasons from Huff, Jerome and Dunn and the consistent play of Hauser, Hunter and Murphy, the Virginia faithful have a lot to be proud of regarding the NBA players representing the program. As the 2024-25 campaign moves along, expect this slew of former Cavaliers to continue making waves.
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