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UVa has produced 8 current NBA players, but who’s counting?

Fred Jeter | 1/19/2023, 6 p.m.
Despite its continued success, some basketball fans complain about the University of Virginia’s slow, methodical style of play. Never mind …
UVA has produced eight current NBA players, including Malcolm Brogdon (with ball) and Jeff Hauser for the Eastern Conference, Atlantic Division leader Celtics (30-12, as Jan. 12).

Despite its continued success, some basketball fans complain about the University of Virginia’s slow, methodical style of play.

Never mind the fans. The NBA has no problem with coach Tony Bennett’s strategy.

The NBA’s best team so far this season, the Boston Celtics, has a distinct Virginia Cavaliers’ flavor.

Also, the ACC school in Charlottesville has produced eight current NBA players, including Malcolm Brogdon and Jeff Hauser for the Eastern Conference, Atlantic Division leader Celtics (30-12, as of Jan. 12).

Despite missing some time with a hamstring injury, Brogdon (second round draft pick in 2016) averages 13.4 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.9 assists while hitting 44 percent of his 3-pointers.

Off the bench, Hauser (undrafted in 2021) averages six points and three rebounds per.

Other ex-Cavs in NBA are Mamadi Diakite (Cleveland), Anthony Gill (Washington), Joe Harris (Brooklyn), De’Andre Hunter (Atlanta), Ty Jerome (Golden State) and Trey Murphy III (New Orleans).

Slow play or not, Bennett’s U.Va. record is 328-120 (as of Jan. 14) with an NCAA title in 2019.

A total of 37 Cavaliers have played in the NBA.

Kentucky is the all-time leader with 107 of its alumni making it to the big show. That includes 27 current Kentucky players on NBA payrolls.

Virginia is far and away the leader among state schools at producing NBA talent. Bennett’s U.Va. record is 328-120 with an NCAA title in 2019.

Others include:

From VCU – the Bones Hyland,

Denver; Vince Williams, Memphis, has been up and down from G-League

William & Mary – Nathan Knight, Minnesota

Virginia Tech – Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Utah; Dorian Finney-Smith, Dallas

Radford – Petersburg native Javonte Green; Carlik Jones, both with Chicago

From downtown Richmond, VCU has sent 11 players to the NBA in addition to Hyland and Williams.

They are Jesse Dark, Bernard Harris, Justin Tillman, Treveon Graham, Marc Jackson, Eric Maynor, Larry Sanders, Ed Sherod, Briante Weber, Gerald Henderson and Troy Daniels.

Virginia Union’s NBA alumni include Mike Davis, Terry Davis, A.J. English, Charles Oakley, Bruce Spraggins, Ben Wallace and Jamie Waller.