In mid-August, Sports Illustrated released a roundtable-style story in which its four of its National Basketball Association writers and analysts dissected the NBA’s offseason.
One answer to the first question presented in the story – “What was the best move of the offseason?” – should bring smiles to the faces of fans of the University of Virginia’s men’s basketball program.
“Malcolm Brogdon to the Celtics,” Robin Lundberg wrote. “The Eastern Conference champs improved in a subtle and smart way. For a team that was undone by a lack of discipline at times in the NBA Finals, adding another high-IQ player who can also handle the rock and make plays was a sound strategy.”
Brogdon, an all-time UVA great whose former No. 15 jersey is retired at John Paul Jones Arena, was traded in July from the Indianapolis Pacers to the Boston Celtics. The guard – and winner of Rookie of the Year honors in 2016-17 – has averaged more than 15 points and four assists per game over his six seasons in the NBA. Now, he’s playing for a team coming off a run to the Finals.
Such a spotlight for Brogdon highlights what to watch for from former Wahoos in the NBA this season as Coach Tony Bennett’s program continues to make a mark at the next level with multiple UVA products spread across the league.
Championship Aspirations for Brogdon
The NBA season tips off at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday when Brogdon debuts for his new team against the Philadelphia 76ers.
While Brogdon, as a member of the Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks, has appeared in the NBA playoffs four times, his team has only advanced out of the first round once – the Bucks in 2018-19.
There are championship expectations for the Celtics, and Brogdon figures to fit into their core group of players that feature all-stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown and reigning NBA Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart.
“This is everything I’ve wanted,” Brogdon said during his introductory press conference in Boston. “To be able to get back to this level, to be able to compete with guys that want to win a championship and that are all in, that want to sacrifice to win. So it’s very fortuitous for me to be here and I think it’s the perfect time for me.”
Malcolm Brogdon wants that chip with the Celtics
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) July 1, 2022
(via @MarcJSpears) pic.twitter.com/WErjZhnIWf
Wahoo Pride
Virginia fans might want to mix in some green with their blue and orange this basketball season.
When Brogdon was acquired by the Celtics, it meant he was joining a roster that included fellow Hoo Sam Hauser.
Hauser, a Marquette University transfer who led UVA in scoring in 2020-21, is entering his second season in Boston. Through the Celtics’ first three preseason games, the 24-year-old forward made 60% of his 20 3-point shot attempts, some of which were set up by Brogdon.
Malcolm Brogdon and Sam Hauser both went to Virginia. Most of Hauser’s shots have been off of Brogdon assists throughout the preseason #Celtics pic.twitter.com/Osv9cuZ41G
— The Celtics Files (@CelticsFiles) October 6, 2022
The UVA connection has caused a buzz among Boston media to the point where Bennett was recently invited to appear on a prominent Celtics podcast to talk about his former players.
UVA men's coach Tony Bennett joins the Celtics Talk Podcast to discuss his former players Malcolm Brogdon & Sam Hauser
— Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) October 11, 2022
Plus, @ChrisForsberg_ sits down 1-on-1 with Brogdon
Presented by: https://t.co/m28oI3E9Mr
https://t.co/cL9pCx9Flj
https://t.co/A9yAsjSxV8 pic.twitter.com/YbR1fShl9R
The Celtics-Washington Wizards matchup on Oct. 30 in Boston might be the most Hoo-friendly game on the early NBA schedule as Brogdon and Hauser face Anthony Gill, a Wizards forward and fellow alumnus.
The Return of Joey Hoops
Joe Harris, a running mate of Brogdon’s during UVA’s Atlantic Coast Conference championship season in 2013-14, only appeared in 14 games last season for the Brooklyn Nets because of ankle surgeries.
The sharpshooter has returned and is expected to make significant contributions for a Nets team heavy on star power with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving.
Harris, who won the NBA 3-Point Contest in 2019, is a 43.9% 3-point shooter over eight professional seasons.
Ben Simmons + Joe Harris going to see a lot of this pic.twitter.com/7FwPREWXzT
— NetsKingdom (@NetsKingdomAJ) October 2, 2022
On the Hunt
De'Andre Hunter has already scored big this season.
On Monday night, just over 48 hours until the Atlanta Hawks opened 2022-23 by hosting the Houston Rockets, Hunter and the Hawks reportedly came to terms on a four-year, $95 million contract extension.
That's a big step forward for the former All-American and leading player for UVA's 2018-19 national championship team.
Hunter’s NBA career is already off to a promising start through three years. The fourth pick of the 2019 Draft is averaging more than 13 points and four rebounds per game.
Keeping an eye on DeAndre Hunter. Want to see how much of a threat he can become offensively. Mix in some makes, get some paint touches out of the flow, come off movement and attack. Mixing in a few sets for him can add to balance. pic.twitter.com/vg5TS6ik1N
— Steve Jones Jr. (@stevejones20) October 13, 2022
Trey Time
In his one season at UVA, Trey Murphy, a transfer from Rice University, gave a good preview of what he could offer an NBA team by shooting 43% from 3-point range.
And the New Orleans Pelicans, who took Murphy with the 17th pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, are looking to maximize that skill in 2022-23.
“I just want him shooting,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said in a recent story published on NOLA.com. “When he’s open and the ball touches his hand and there’s a little bit of daylight, he should be locked and loaded.”
As a rookie last year, the 6-foot-9 Murphy made 38% of his 3-point attempts. Over three preseason games this year, he made 13 of 23 attempts from beyond the arc.
Trey Murphy is already 4/5 from deep.
— theScore (@theScore) October 13, 2022
(: @pelicansnba)pic.twitter.com/xtrgGeS0Ih
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Article Information
December 22, 2024
