The NBA Draft will kick off on Tuesday at 8 p.m., with the second round following on Wednesday at the same time, both broadcast on ESPN. This year’s event carries particular weight for the University of Virginia, whose recent alumni have begun carving out notable niches in the league.
A lineage of Cavaliers talent
In the 2020s, only two Cavaliers have been selected: Ryan Dunn, taken at No. 28 overall by the Phoenix Suns in 2024, and Trey Murphy III, who slid to No. 17 in 2021 after the New Orleans Pelicans drafted him. Dunn, a 6‑foot‑6 forward, has appeared in 144 career games with 60 starts, averaging 6.4 points per contest. Murphy, a sharpshooting wing, stands as the Pelicans’ all‑time leader in three‑point makes with 814 and even earned a spot in the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
Beyond the first round
The Cavaliers’ impact extends past the opening night. Undrafted graduates such as Sam Hauser, Jay Huff, and Reece Beekman have forged professional paths, often overseas, while veterans like Malcolm Brogdon, who was a second‑round pick by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2016, have sustained nine‑plus‑year NBA careers. Earlier trailblazers including Justin Anderson, Joe Harris, and Mike Scott also illustrate the program’s long‑standing ability to produce reliable NBA contributors.
The broader narrative reflects a steady stream of talent. In the 2010s, eight Virginia alumni were drafted, and names like Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome, De’Andre Hunter, Devon Hall, and the now‑retired Joe Harris and Mike Scott added depth to that cohort. The cumulative total of Virginia players selected in NBA history now stands at 47, with Ugonna Onyenso poised to become the 48th, potentially marking the first draft pick under Coach Ryan Odom’s era.