Virginia’s Ty Jerome was the second Cavalier to hear their name called in the 2019 NBA Draft, getting picked No. 24 overall by the Phoenix Suns, via a trade with the Boston Celtics. He joins former teammate De’Andre Hunter as the first UVA duo to go in the first round of the same draft after Hunter went No. 4 overall to the Atlanta Hawks.
Another National Champion picked in the first round!
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) June 21, 2019
Congrats to @UVAMensHoops' Ty Jerome! #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/PZwcmRoAW3
Jerome was a steady hand for the Hoos during his time in Charlottesville, playing an instrumental role in winning Virginia’s first National Championship in men’s basketball. He averaged 13.6 points and 4.2 rebounds per game his final season with Virginia while shooting 44% from the field and 40% from three. His 6.1 assists per game and 3.6 assist-to-turnover ratio in conference play was best in the ACC.
The 76ers initially traded the pick to the Boston Celtics, but they in turn traded the pick to Phoenix. The Suns went 19-63 last season, finishing fifth in the Pacific Division. He joins a stellar young core in Phoenix and will play alongside fellow 2019 draftee Cam Johnson of North Carolina, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, and Deandre Ayton.
It won’t get finalized until July 6th, but Phoenix is getting a good one in Jerome.