Jay Huff
![]() Huff in February 2020 | |
Memphis Grizzlies | |
---|---|
Position | Center |
League | NBA |
Personal information | |
Born | (1997-08-25) August 25, 1997 (age 26) Durham, North Carolina, U.S. |
Listed height | 7 ft 1 in (2.16 m) |
Listed weight | 240 lb (109 kg) |
Career information | |
High school | Voyager Academy (Durham, North Carolina) |
College | Virginia (2017–2021) |
NBA draft | 2021: undrafted |
Playing career | 2021–present |
Career history | |
2021–2022 | Los Angeles Lakers |
2021–2022 | →South Bay Lakers |
2022–2023 | South Bay Lakers |
2023 | Washington Wizards |
2023 | →Capital City Go-Go |
2023–2024 | Denver Nuggets |
2023–2024 | →Grand Rapids Gold |
2024–present | Memphis Grizzlies |
2024–present | →Memphis Hustle |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Stats ![]() | |
Stats ![]() | |
James Matthew Huff (born August 25, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Virginia Cavaliers.
High school career
Huff was a four-year varsity basketball player for Voyager Academy in Durham, North Carolina, where he was coached by his father, Mike.[1] On January 21, 2016, as a senior, he became his school's all-time leading scorer.[2] Huff led his team to the Class 1A state title, earning most valuable player honors after recording a triple-double of 14 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocks in the final.[3] He finished the season averaging 16.3 points, 10.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game.[4] A four-star recruit, Huff committed to play college basketball for Virginia.[5]
College career
Huff redshirted his first year to improve his strength and weight. He gained about 30 pounds (14 kg) by the time his redshirt freshman season began.[4] Huff averaged 3.4 points and 1.9 rebounds per game as a freshman.[6] On April 4, 2018, after his freshman season, it was announced that Huff would miss three to four months after undergoing surgery for a torn labrum.[7] As a sophomore, he averaged 4.4 points and 2.1 rebounds in 9.3 minutes per game on the national champion team.[8] On January 18, 2020, Huff scored 17 points and six blocks in a 63–58 win over Georgia Tech.[9] On February 29, Huff recorded 15 points, 10 blocks and nine rebounds in a 52–50 win over Duke. He joined Ralph Sampson as the only players in program history with at least 10 blocks in a game.[10] As a junior, Huff averaged 8.5 points, 6.2 rebounds and two blocks per game, all of which were career-highs.[8] Following the season, he declared for the 2020 NBA draft.[11] After evaluating his decision, he announced he would return to UVA for his senior season on August 1, 2020.[12]
Following the 2020–21 season, Huff declared for the 2021 NBA draft.
Professional career
Los Angeles / South Bay Lakers (2021–2023)
After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft, Huff joined the Washington Wizards for the 2021 NBA Summer League.[13] On September 21, 2021, he signed with the Wizards,[14] but was waived on October 13.[15]
On October 18, 2021, Huff signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.[16] On January 12, 2022, he was waived.[17]
On January 16, 2022, Huff was re-acquired by the South Bay Lakers.[18]
Huff joined the Los Angeles Lakers' 2022 NBA Summer League roster.[19] In his Summer League debut for the Lakers, Huff scored nine points and seven rebounds in a 100–66 win against the Miami Heat.[20]
On July 27, 2022, Huff signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.[21] He was waived on October 15, 2022.[22] He subsequently re-joined South Bay.
Washington Wizards / Capital City Go-Go (2023)
On March 2, 2023, Huff signed a two-way contract with the Washington Wizards.[23] On April 4, he was named NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year after leading the league with 4.0 blocks per game.[24]
On July 3, 2023, Huff joined the Houston Rockets Summer League team.[25]
Denver Nuggets / Grand Rapids Gold (2023–2024)
On July 18, 2023, Huff signed a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets.[26]
Memphis Grizzlies / Hustle (2024–present)
On July 24, 2024, Huff signed a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies.[27]
Career statistics
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
NBA
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2021–22 | L.A. Lakers | 4 | 0 | 5.1 | .000 | .000 | — | 1.0 | .3 | .3 | .3 | .0 |
2022–23 | Washington | 7 | 0 | 13.6 | .600 | .500 | .938 | 3.0 | 1.4 | .4 | .6 | 7.3 |
2023–24 | Denver | 20 | 0 | 2.5 | .600 | .333 | 1.000 | .6 | .1 | .1 | .2 | 1.2 |
Career | 31 | 0 | 5.3 | .558 | .391 | .944 | 1.2 | .4 | .2 | .3 | 2.4 |
College
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016–17 | Virginia | ![]() | ||||||||||
2017–18 | Virginia | 12 | 0 | 8.8 | .680 | .286 | .625 | 1.9 | .3 | .1 | 1.2 | 3.4 |
2018–19 | Virginia | 34 | 0 | 9.3 | .604 | .452 | .667 | 2.1 | .2 | .2 | .7 | 4.4 |
2019–20 | Virginia | 30 | 18 | 25.0 | .571 | .358 | .540 | 6.2 | .8 | .4 | 2.0 | 8.5 |
2020–21 | Virginia | 25 | 25 | 27.0 | .585 | .387 | .837 | 7.1 | 1.0 | .5 | 2.6 | 13.0 |
Career | 101 | 43 | 18.3 | .588 | .386 | .679 | 4.5 | .6 | .3 | 1.6 | 7.6 |
Personal life
Both of Huff's parents are former college basketball players. His father, Mike, played for Pacific Lutheran University, and his mother, Kathy, played for West Virginia.[4] Mike was the director of the Michael W. Krzyzewski Human Performance Laboratory at Duke University.[28]
Huff is a member of the Chi Alpha Christian fellowship at the University of Virginia and aspires to become a minister when he retires from basketball.[28]
References
- ^ Warnock, W. E. (March 10, 2016). "Voyager Academy's father-son Huff team gets one last game together in championship". The News & Observer. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ Best, Bonitta (January 27, 2016). "Huff voyages into the record books". The News & Observer. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ Warnock, W. E. (March 12, 2016). "Jay Huff's triple-double leads Voyager Academy to 1A basketball title over Winston-Salem Prep". The News & Observer. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ a b c Ratcliffe, Jerry (November 10, 2017). "UVa's Jay Huff is hungry for more". The Daily Progress. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ Polacek, Scott (May 21, 2015). "Jay Huff to Virginia: Cavaliers Land 4-Star PF Prospect". Bleacher Report. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ Darney, Caroline (January 29, 2019). "Jay Huff is developing in front of our eyes, and it's magical". Streaking the Lawn. SB Nation. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ Blum, Sam (April 4, 2018). "Jay Huff out 3-4 months with torn labrum". The Daily Progress. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ a b "Jay Huff". University of Virginia Athletics. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ "Virginia snaps 3-game skid with 63–58 win over Georgia Tech". ESPN. Associated Press. January 18, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ Gatto, Tom (February 29, 2020). "Virginia's Jay Huff enters Ralph Sampson territory by standing tall vs. Duke". Sporting News. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ Willett, Preston (April 29, 2020). "Jay Huff enters name in NBA Draft process". CBS19. Retrieved May 1, 2020.
- ^ Conlin, Bennett (August 1, 2020). "Jay Huff withdraws from NBA Draft, plans to return for senior season at Virginia". The Daily Progress. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
- ^ "Wizards announce 2021 Summer League roster". NBA.com. August 4, 2021. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
- ^ Washington Wizards [@WashWizards] (September 21, 2021). "OFFICIAL: We've signed the following players to Exhibit 10 contracts: □ Jaime Echenique □ Jordan Goodwin □ Jay Huff □ Jordan Schakel" (Tweet). Retrieved September 24, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Adams, Luke (October 13, 2021). "Wizards Cut Jay Huff, Jordan Schakel". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
- ^ "Lakers Sign Jay Huff to Two-Way Contract". NBA.com. October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
- ^ "Lakers Sign Sekou Doumbouya to Two-Way Contract". NBA. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
- ^ "South Bay Lakers on Twitter: "OFFICIAL: The #SBLakers have acquired Jay Huff as a returning rights player. In a related move, the team has waived Willie Jackson"". Twitter. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
- ^ "Los Angeles Lakers 2022 NBA2K23 Summer League Roster | NBA.com". www.nba.com. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
- ^ "Los Angeles Lakers vs Miami Heat Jul 2, 2022 Box Scores | NBA.com". www.nba.com. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
- ^ "Lakers Sign Jay Huff". NBA.com. July 27, 2022. Retrieved July 27, 2022.
- ^ @Lakers (October 15, 2022). "The Lakers have requested waivers on guards Shaquille Harrison and Nate Pierre-Louis and center Jay Huff" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Wizards Sign Jay Huff to Two-Way Contract". NBA. Retrieved March 2, 2023.
- ^ "Jay Huff Named 2022-23 KIA NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year". NBA.com. April 4, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ "Rockets Summer League roster 2023: Details of players, coaches, schedule and more".
- ^ "NUGGETS SIGN GILLESPIE, HUFF AND KEY TO TWO-WAY CONTRACTS". NBA.com. July 18, 2023. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ^ "Grizzlies sign Jay Huff to two-way contract". NBA.com. July 24, 2024. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Needelman, Josh (February 7, 2019). "Higher calling: Jay Huff's faith has been tested — and validated — at Virginia". The Daily Progress. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
External links
- Virginia Cavaliers bio
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