The University of Texas at Austin Athletics

Ten former Longhorns on NBA opening night rosters
10.22.2024 | Men's Basketball
The 2024-25 NBA season tips off on Tuesday night.
AUSTIN, Texas — A total of 10 former University of Texas men's basketball players will appear on NBA rosters when the league opens the 2024-25 regular season on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
The Longhorns' 10 active roster players are: Jarrett Allen (Cleveland Cavaliers), Mohamed Bamba (Los Angeles Clippers), Kevin Durant (Phoenix Suns), Jaxson Hayes (Los Angeles Lakers), Kai Jones (Los Angeles Clippers), Cory Joseph (Orlando Magic), Jericho Sims (New York Knicks), Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Cavaliers), P.J. Tucker (Los Angeles Clippers) and Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers).
A 2022 NBA All-Star, Allen starts his fourth full season with the Cleveland Cavaliers and eighth year in the league. Bamba, the No. 6 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, begins his first season with the Los Angeles Clippers and seventh year in the league. A 14-time NBA All-Star, 11-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 second full season with the Phoenix Suns and his 17th year in the NBA.
Hayes, the No. 8 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, begins his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers and sixth year in the league. The No. 19 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Jones starts his first year with the Los Angeles Clippers and third season in the NBA after recently earning a two-way contract. Joseph begins his first year with the Orlando Magic and 14th season overall in the league.
Sims, the No. 58 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, enters his fourth year with the New York Knicks. Thompson starts his 11th season with the Cleveland Cavaliers and his 13th year overall in the NBA. Tucker begins his first full year with the Los Angeles Clippers and 14th season overall in the NBA, and Turner starts his 10th season in the league, all with the Indiana Pacers.
In addition to the 10 former Longhorns on NBA rosters, former player Royal Ivey is an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets and Matt Hill is an assistant coach with the Charlotte Hornets.
Former Longhorns on NBA Opening Night Rosters
Player |
NBA Team |
Jarrett Allen |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
Mohamed Bamba |
Los Angeles Clippers |
Kevin Durant |
Phoenix Suns |
Jaxson Hayes |
Los Angeles Lakers |
Kai Jones |
Los Angeles Clippers |
Cory Joseph |
Orlando Magic |
Jericho Sims |
New York Knicks |
Tristan Thompson |
Cleveland Cavaliers |
P.J. Tucker |
Los Angeles Clippers |
Myles Turner |
Indiana Pacers |