Ten former Longhorns on NBA opening night roster

AUSTIN, Texas – A total of 10 former University of Texas basketball players will appear on NBA rosters when the league opens the 2024-25 regular season on Tuesday, Oct. 22.

The Longhorns’ 10 active 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), PJ Tucker (Los Angeles Clippers) and Myles Turner (Indiana Pacers).

A 2022 NBA All-Star, Allen begins his fourth full season with the Cleveland Cavaliers and his eighth year in the league. Bamba, the No. 6 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, is entering his first season with the Los Angeles Clippers and is in his seventh year in the league. Durant is 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 2014 Most Valuable Player in the league’s second full season with the Phoenix Suns and his 17th year in the NBA.

Hayes, the No. 8 pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, is entering his second season with the Los Angeles Lakers and his sixth year in the league. The No. 19 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Jones begins his first year with the Los Angeles Clippers and his third season in the NBA after recently securing 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, is entering his fourth year with the New York Knicks. Thompson is entering his 11th season with the Cleveland Cavaliers and his 13th year overall in the NBA. Tucker is entering his first full year with the Los Angeles Clippers and his 14th season overall in the NBA, and Turner is entering his 10th season in the league, all with the Indiana Pacers.

In addition to the ten former Longhorns on the NBA roster, former player Royal Ivey is an assistant coach with 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
PJ Tucker	Los Angeles Clippers
Myles Turner	Indiana Pacers