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The start of the Virginia Basketball season is right around the corner, and we are counting down the days until the reigning National Champion Cavaliers kick off the season at Syracuse for an ACC tilt on November 6. Every day until tip-off, we’ll be feeding you everything you need to know to be ready for the 2019-2020 campaign.
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The NBA regular season tips off in a couple weeks, so now is the perfect time to catch up on where former Virginia Cavaliers are currently playing.
Starters
Malcolm Brogdon - Indiana Pacers
After having a career year for the Milwaukee Bucks, Brogdon signed a four-year, $85 million deal with the Indiana Pacers. The former UVA legend joined the exclusive 50-40-90 club (50% FG, 40% 3FG, and 90% FT for a season), which only has eight members in NBA history. Paired with Victor Oladipo, the Pacers will be one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference this season with Brogdon running the point.
Joe Harris - Brooklyn Nets
The former Virginia star had the best year in his NBA career last season for the Nets. Not only did Harris win the NBA 3 point shooting contest in January, but he ended the season leading the NBA in 3 point shooting percentage as well. Joe is in the second year of a two-year, $16 million contract. The Nets made huge changes in the off-season, signing Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Even though Durant will be out all year, Brooklyn will still contend for a #5-8 seed in the East with Harris as the starting SG.
De’Andre Hunter - Atlanta Hawks
The star of UVA’s championship game, Hunter was drafted #4 overall by Atlanta and is slated to be the starting SF. With Trae Young, Kevin Huerter, and John Collins, the Hawks are a young, exciting team that will most likely be a year or two away from the playoffs.
De'Andre takin' it straight to the rack pic.twitter.com/aASuFl5Phs
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) October 10, 2019
Backups
Ty Jerome - Phoenix Suns
Jerome was drafted No. 24 overall by Phoenix and will serve as the backup point guard to Ricky Rubio. Jerome’s tough defense and basketball IQ will hopefully push his playing time up as the season progresses. The Suns have young stars in Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, but are still projected to be in the bottom of the Western Conference this season. He had a solid debut, and has already shown the Phoenix fans why Virginia folks loved him so much.
A Ty Jerome tweet:
— Suns Video Breakdown (@SunsVideo) October 13, 2019
1) Ty Jerome guards the bigger man down low. Doesn't back down and forces the pass out.
2) Ty Jerome grabs the board off the miss
3) Ty Jerome brings the ball upcourt, drives inside, and drops the pretty floater away from the D
Again, I like this guy. #Suns pic.twitter.com/8SzBUhCZuy
Mike Scott - Philadelphia 76ers
The former Hoo star has bounced around the NBA a bit recently, but signed a two year, $10 million deal with Philadelphia in the offseason. Scott will serve as the backup PF for Al Horford, who also recently signed with the 76ers. Philadelphia will be one of the top contenders in the East, and with stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, expect to see the 76ers and Mike Scott on TV a lot.
End of the Roster/G League
Kyle Guy - Sacramento Kings
The two time All-American and Final Four MVP was drafted No. 55 overall by the Kings and signed a two-way contract in July. This means he will split time between the Kings and their G-League affiliate throughout the year. Sacramento has a young and talented roster, but is still years from making the playoffs, so hopefully Guy can see some playing time during various points in the season.
Devon Hall - Oklahoma City Thunder
After being drafted #53 overall by the Thunder, Hall spent last season playing professionally in Australia. Like Guy, Hall signed a two-way contract with Oklahoma City and will split time with the Thunder’s G-League team. OKC will be battling for a final playoff spot in the West this season after trading away Russell Westbrook for Chris Paul, so Hall has a chance to make the roster and see some playing time.
Justin Anderson - Washington Wizards
After ending last season with Atlanta, the former UVA star signed a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with Washington. The Wizards are dealing with injuries and are not projected to be a playoff team, so Anderson will hopefully make the opening day roster and get some early playing time.
London Perrantes - Portland Trail Blazers
After playing on a two-way contract for the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2018, Perrantes played in France last season. The former UVA star guard signed a training camp contract with Exhibit 10 deals with Portland. The Trailblazers do not have a G-League team, so Perrantes will need to make quite the impression in the preseason to make the Western Conference runner up’s roster.
He still can give Ty Jerome a hard time though:
Still can’t guard me @tyjerome_ https://t.co/m7X5GKxUbD
— London Perrantes (@London_Tyus) October 13, 2019
Good luck to all the former Hoos in the NBA this season!