Virginia Professional Athletes

Jerome's Week Demands the League's Attention

Ty Jerome is no longer a footnote. The Virginia product — a journeyman who had cracked 30 points just once in 253 career NBA games — walked into the 2026-27 season and dropped 45 points on the Utah Jazz in Memphis's opening-night rout, 123-103. He shot 17-of-25 from the field and 5-of-10 from three, finishing with 6 assists, 7 rebounds, and a plus-22 in just 31 minutes. The 45-point outburst set a Grizzlies franchise record for points scored by a Memphis player in a season opener, eclipsing Ja Morant's 44-point effort in 2020.

The performance was more than a one-night heater. Jerome followed it up Saturday against Golden State with 28 points, 5 assists, and a plus-10 in 31 minutes as Memphis erased a 12-point deficit with a 17-0 late run to stun the Warriors 111-108. After the loss, Stephen Curry — Jerome's former teammate — called him "a tough cover" with "a lot of weapons around him." Through the first week, Jerome sits as one of the NBA's leading scorers through the early going.

At 29, Jerome's arc is genuinely unlikely. The 2019 Virginia national champion became an afterthought across stops in Oklahoma City, Cleveland, and Golden State before landing in Memphis. Now, anchoring the Grizzlies' offense alongside rookie Cam Boozer, he looks like a franchise cornerstone — or at least the closest thing to one while Ja Morant's shadow still lingers over FedExForum. Sports Illustrated floated that Jerome's emergence could return Memphis to Western Conference relevancy. Two games in, it's not hard to see why.

Trey Murphy Caught in Pelicans' Early Fog

Not every Virginia alum is thriving. Trey Murphy III has shown up in box scores — 11 points vs. Indiana on Thursday, 9 points in a loss to Utah on Saturday — but the Pelicans' early offensive identity remains murky enough that even Murphy's usage is drawing scrutiny. Sports Illustrated flagged reduced usage for Murphy and limited minutes for Herb Jones as a self-inflicted wound for New Orleans, and a separate piece identified Murphy as a potential trade candidate if the franchise pivots toward a youth rebuild around Jeremiah Fears.

Murphy is under contract and talented enough to command a real role. Whether New Orleans lets him grow into it or ships him elsewhere is an early-season question with real stakes.

Around the Rest of the Alumni Circuit

De'Andre Hunter's Sacramento debut has been quietly rough: 6 points on Thursday against the Clippers in a blowout loss (minus-24 in 19 minutes), and 4 points Saturday against Portland. The Kings are still sorting out their rotation, and Hunter hasn't yet found consistent footing.

Sam Hauser provided reliable bench production for Boston — 11 points in a Tuesday loss to Detroit, then 6 points and a plus-8 in Friday's 107-103 win over the Knicks. Ryan Dunn logged limited minutes in a bad Suns loss to Portland (minus-8 in 14 minutes). Jay Huff and Anthony Gill are in the lineup-depth conversation for Indiana and Washington, respectively, without statlines that move the needle yet.

The Virginia alumni story this week has one unmistakable headline. Jerome's opening act is either the feel-good breakout arc of the early season — or a reminder that, sometimes, the UVA product everyone slept on was the one worth watching all along.

Virginia Alumni NBA Roundup | Oct. 4–10, 2026

Murphy III Is the Story — and He Knows It

Trey Murphy III isn't just healthy. He's confident in a way he hasn't been allowed to be before.

The 26-year-old Pelicans forward, recovering from shoulder surgery that derailed his rise into New Orleans' unquestioned second option, told reporters he's no longer "apprehensive" about his body — and that All-Star aspirations feel less like wishful thinking and more like a logical next step. For a player whose shooting touch, athleticism, and offensive versatility have always drawn praise, the injury narrative has been the one thing standing between Murphy and the broader recognition his game invites.

Off the court, that recognition is arriving anyway. Murphy recently signed an endorsement deal with New Balance — a milestone he didn't hesitate to credit, at least in part, to teammate Dejounte Murray. Murphy publicly gave Murray his "flowers" for paving the way and helping open the door. It's a revealing moment: a rising star with enough self-awareness to acknowledge the ecosystem around him, and enough profile now that brands are paying attention regardless.

On the floor, the preseason has been a mixed bag so far. Murphy had a disappointing outing in New Orleans' loss to Miami, earning a poor grade alongside Zion Williamson in what was an overall C− performance for the Pelicans. First-year head coach Jamahl Mosley is in the middle of a deliberate cultural reset — emphasizing toughness, accountability, and defensive discipline — and the preseason loss was a reminder that the vision and the execution are still finding each other. Murphy's regular-season form will go a long way toward determining whether this Pelicans retool works. And yes, a Pelicans training camp dunk contest debate is apparently a real thing: Murphy's creativity above the rim earned him a mention among the team's top aerial threats.

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De'Andre Hunter is generating genuine optimism in Sacramento. The Kings forward's injury update ahead of the 2026-27 season has Kings fans excited, with Sports Illustrated noting he's being underrated heading into the year. Hunter, a prototypical 3-and-D wing, could be a legitimate difference-maker for a Kings team still chasing relevance in the Western Conference.

Ryan Dunn is getting his opportunity in Phoenix. The Suns are giving the former Virginia standout another chance to carve out a rotation role, with the organization reportedly prioritizing Dunn's development ahead of other wing options. His athleticism and defensive instincts have always been the pitch — now it's about consistency.

Sam Hauser won't be in uniform for Boston's preseason opener against Cleveland — he's one of eight Celtics sitting out — but his offseason comments from training camp carry weight. The sharpshooter called this the most competitive Celtics camp he's been through in six years, a notable admission from a veteran who's been part of championship-caliber rosters. When he does take the floor, Hauser remains one of the league's most reliable catch-and-shoot threats.

The Virginia pipeline into the NBA is longer than most programs get credit for, with 13 active alumni spread across the league. But right now, all eyes from Charlottesville are pointed toward New Orleans — where Murphy III is trying to turn a healthy shoulder into an All-Star season.