The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Eleven former Longhorns on NBA opening night rosters
10.24.2023 | Men's Basketball
Texas ranks in a tie for fifth nationally in most players on 2023-24 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 2023-24 regular season on Tuesday, Oct. 24. UT ranks in a tie for fifth nationally in most players on 2023-24 NBA opening night rosters.
The Longhorns' 11 active roster players are: Jarrett Allen (Cleveland Cavaliers), Mohamed Bamba (Philadelphia 76ers), Greg Brown III (Dallas Mavericks), Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns), Jaxson Hayes (Los Angeles Lakers), Cory Joseph (Golden State Warriors), Sir'Jabari Rice (San Antonio Spurs), Jericho Sims (New York Knicks), Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Cavaliers), P.J. Tucker (Philadelphia 76ers) and Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers).
A 2022 NBA All-Star, Allen starts his third full season with the Cleveland Cavaliers and seventh year in the league. Bamba, the No. 6 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, begins his first season with the Philadelphia 76ers and sixth year in the league. Brown, the No. 43 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, enters his third year in the NBA and first season with the Dallas Mavericks after recently signing a two-way contract.
A 13-time NBA All-Star, 10-time All-NBA selection, four-time NBA scoring champion, two-time Bill Russell NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (2017 and 2018) and the league's 2014 Most Valuable Player, Durant starts his 16th year in the NBA and first full season with the Phoenix Suns. Hayes, the No. 8 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, begins his first season with the Los Angeles Lakers and fifth year in the league.
Joseph begins his first year with the Golden State Warriors and 13th season overall in the league. Rice, who led the Longhorns to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight last year, begins his first season with the San Antonio Spurs after earning a two-way contract in the summer.
Sims, the No. 58 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, enters his third year with the New York Knicks. Thompson returns to the court for the Cleveland Cavaliers after a one-year absence and starts his 12th year overall in the NBA. Tucker begins his 13th year overall in the NBA and his second season with the Philadelphia 76ers, and Turner starts his ninth season in the league, all with the Indiana Pacers.
In addition to the 11 former Longhorns on NBA rosters, former player Royal Ivey is an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets.
Former Longhorns on NBA Opening Night Rosters
|
Player |
NBA Team |
|
Jarrett Allen |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
|
Mohamed Bamba |
Philadelphia 76ers |
|
Greg Brown III |
Dallas Mavericks |
|
Kevin Durant |
Phoenix Suns |
|
Jaxson Hayes |
Los Angeles Lakers |
|
Cory Joseph |
Golden State Warriors |
|
San Antonio Spurs |
|
|
Jericho Sims |
New York Knicks |
|
Tristan Thompson |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
|
P.J. Tucker |
Philadelphia 76ers |
|
Myles Turner |
Indiana Pacers |
Most Players on NBA Opening Night rosters by College
|
Rk |
School |
Number of Former Players on Opening Night NBA Rosters |
|
1. |
Kentucky |
26 |
|
2. |
Duke |
24 |
|
3. |
UCLA |
15 |
|
4. |
Kansas |
12 |
|
5. |
TEXAS |
11 |
|
|
Gonzaga |
11 |
|
|
Michigan |
11 |
|
8. |
Arizona |
10 |
|
|
Arkansas |
10 |
|
|
Villanova |
10 |
