The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Eleven Longhorns on NBA opening night rosters
12.22.2020 | Men's Basketball, T-Association
Texas ranks in a tie for fourth nationally in most players on 2020-21 NBA opening night rosters.
AUSTIN, Texas — A total of 11 former University of Texas men's basketball players will appear on NBA rosters when the league opens the 2020-21 regular season on Tuesday, December 22. UT ranks in a tie for fourth nationally in most players on 2020-21 NBA opening night rosters.
The Longhorns' 11 active roster players are: LaMarcus Aldridge (San Antonio Spurs), Jarrett Allen (Brooklyn Nets), D.J. Augustin (Milwaukee Bucks), Mohamed Bamba (Orlando Magic), Avery Bradley (Miami Heat), Kevin Durant (Brooklyn Nets), Jaxson Hayes (New Orleans Pelicans), Cory Joseph (Sacramento Kings), Tristan Thompson (Boston Celtics), P.J. Tucker (Houston Rockets) and Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers).
A seven-time NBA All-Star and five-time All-NBA selection, Aldridge begins his sixth year with the San Antonio Spurs and 15th season overall in the league. Allen starts his fourth season with the Brooklyn Nets, and Augustin begins his first year with the Milwaukee Bucks and 13th year overall in the NBA. Bamba, the No. 6 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, starts his third season with the Magic, and Bradley begins his 11th year in the league and first with the Miami Heat.
A 10-time NBA All-Star, nine-time All-NBA selection, four-time NBA scoring champion and two-time Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (2017 and 2018), Durant starts his 14th year in the NBA and second with the Brooklyn Nets. Hayes, the No. 8 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, begins his second season with the New Orleans Pelicans. Joseph begins his second year with the Sacramento Kings and 10th season overall in the league, while Thompson starts his 10th season in the NBA and first with the Boston Celtics. Tucker begins his 10th year overall in the NBA and his fourth season with the Houston Rockets, and Turner starts his sixth season in the league, all with the Pacers.
In addition to the 11 former Longhorns on NBA rosters, a pair of former players are assistant coaches in the league. Matt Hill is an assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks, while Royal Ivey is an assistant coach for the Brooklyn Nets.
Most Players on NBA Opening Night rosters by College
|
Rk |
School |
Number of Former Players on Opening Night NBA Rosters |
|
1. |
Kentucky |
32 |
|
2. |
Duke |
29 |
|
3. |
North Carolina |
13 |
|
4. |
TEXAS |
11 |
|
|
Arizona |
11 |
|
|
Kansas |
11 |
|
|
Michigan |
11 |
|
|
UCLA |
11 |
|
9. |
Villanova |
9 |
|
|
Washington |
9 |
