Virginia basketball well represented in NBA Playoffs

The 2021 NBA Playoffs are underway, and there are a handful of former Virginia men’s basketball players looking to win a championship. Malcolm Brogdon and the Pacers lost the Eastern Conference play-in game to become the No. 8 seed, meaning the President is done for the season. Brogdon averaged 21.2 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.3 rebounds per game while shooting 45% from three for the season.

The Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder failed to make the postseason, meaning Kyle Guy and Ty Jerome are done as well.

Here are the Hoos you can watch in the playoffs:

Mike Scott, Philadelphia 76ers

Scott is in his 9th season in the NBA, and has played in 51 games — and started 12 — for the 76ers this year. He’s averaging nearly 17 minutes and just over four points per game. Philly finished as the top-seed in the Eastern Conference, meaning they’re hosting the 8-seed Washington Wizards.

Next game: Sunday, May 23, 1pm (TNT)

Anthony Gill, Washington Wizards

The Wizards needed a play-in win over the Pacers to get into the official bracket, and they’ll be facing the top-seeded 76ers. Gill has been a do-it-all player for Washington — much like he was for Virginia — though he’s only averaging 8.4 minutes per game. Against the Pacers in the play-in game, Gill went a perfect 4-for-4 from the field for 10 points in six minutes. For the season, he’s shooting 50% from the field and averaging 3.1 points and two rebounds per game.

Next game: Sunday, May 23, 1pm (TNT)

De’Andre Hunter, Atlanta Hawks

Hunter has battled a knee injury all season that sidelined him for 49 games, but the 2019 lottery pick is expected to be fully ready for action in the series against the Knicks. The injury was unfortunate timing for a lot of reasons, but Hunter was having an exceptional sophomore season before being unable to play. Hunter is averaging 15 points and 4.8 rebounds per game in 23 games this season, and he had 14 points in 24 minutes of limited action in the regular season finale against the Rockets.

Next game: Sunday, May 23, 7pm (TNT)

Mamadi Diakite, Milwaukee Bucks

Blonde Mamadi is back! Diakite has become a bit of a fan favorite among the Milwaukee fans, despite only playing in 14 games. He’s averaged just over 10 minutes and three points per game, but Diakite is showing a lot of that offensive and defensive versatility that Virginia fans got to see at the tail end of his career. In the one game he started for Milwaukee, Diakite had 13 points, seven rebounds, and three steals, all of which are his NBA career-highs.

The Bucks are playing the Heat in the first round of the playoffs and hold a 1-0 lead in the series after winning the opener, 109-107.

Next game: Monday, May 24, 7:30pm (TNT)

Joe Harris, Brooklyn Nets

Harris, the NBA’s regular season leader in 3-point shooting percentage at 47.5%, is hoping to help lead the superstar-laden Nets to an NBA title. He scored 10 points in Brooklyn’s series-opening win over the Boston Celtics and averaged 14.1 points per game this season. Although Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden garner most of the attention, Harris is instrumental to the Nets’ success.

Next game: Tuesday, May 25, 7:30pm (TNT)