Jay Huff got us again with his announcement that he’s returning to UVA

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Jay Huff’s announcement that he is returning for his fifth year didn’t catch me by surprise, although he may have caused Wahoo Nation’s collective hearts to flutter a bit in the way he broadcasted the news.

We have all come to know Huff as a fun-loving guy, who enjoys infusing humor whenever possible. His bulletin to UVA fans was no different on his Instagram account:

“Thank you for all your support over the past four years. There is no doubt in my mind that we have the best fans in the world! On top of that, I’ve met some of my closest friends and more importantly the love of my life and soon to be bride (Huff is scheduled to marry in September).

“We also got to close out the season in JPJ on a win. It’s been a ride, Charlottesville, and I wouldn’t trade my four years here for anything in the world.

“But it’s time,” Huff teased, causing hearts to skip a beat.

“As many of you know, I’ve been testing the NBA waters, and the process has been interesting. While there have been no in-person workouts, the many interviews that I’ve done have been very positive. I truly think I have a future at the next level. And the deadline to decide is approaching fast.

“Between lots of prayers with my family and those close to me, I’ve made a decision I’m at peace with.

“So in the words of Michael Jordan, “I’M BACK.” Can’t wait for one more year in Charlottesville.”

Every Wahoo had to get a kick out of that, although future UVA opponents were probably hoping for a different announcement. There’s no doubt Huff will have a future at the next level, but for now, everyone is just praying for a 2020-21 basketball season when Virginia should be really good.

Getting back to the opening paragraph though, I wasn’t surprised that Huff decided to return after testing the NBA waters, hearing what scouts, coaches, GM’s had to say about his game.

Why?

During Virginia’s national championship run in 2019, something he said stuck out to me during an interview for an in-depth piece I was working on. Huff was working with former UVA assistant coach, presently a sports and business psychologist and consultant, Tom Perrin.

Perrin, who has worked with the U.S. Olympic soccer teams, some NBA teams and many others, was helping Huff and Mamadi Diakite become comfortable in moving to major roles on Tony Bennett’s basketball team. Both had played the season before, but their responsibilities had grown and Perrin wanted to help boost their confidence from the mental side of the game.

Here’s what Perrin said about Huff, and Huff confirming what Perrin said, and that’s what led me to believe that Huff would return to Virginia for one more year.

Perrin had learned that Huff does not compartentalize basketball in his life. Basketball is inside of a larger frame that includes his family, faith, his relationships outside of the game.

“If one doesn’t get that about Jay, you’re kind of missing Jay,” Perrin said. “Basketball for these guys, inside their larger life, has to be considered and included in the conversation. I never meet with them without checking on how it’s going for them. It’s never just about basketball. It’s first about the larger experience of what’s going on, and then basketball.”

For some of the players, basketball is king, a major part of their life. For Huff, there are other things to consider.

“Tom figured out pretty early on that I’m not just a basketball player,” Huff said. “I have my family, friends, all that going on (and since then an engagement and soon-to-be marriage). If I haven’t seen them in a while, and if there’s something going on there that’s stressful and if it’s showing on the court, he’s pretty good about pointing that out and figuring out that sort of thing.”

Virginia should be dynamic this coming season, particularly with Huff and Sam Hauser in the frontcourt. Hauser, who sat out last season after transferring from Marquette, is likely to be a candidate for ACC Player of the Year in his senior season with the Cavaliers.

Huff had some amazing performances — including some thunderous dunks and nasty blocked shots — as a junior last season, averaging career-highs in points (8.5), rebounds (6.2) and blocked shots (2.0), including just missing a triple-double in a huge win over Duke at John Paul Jones Arena late in the season. In that game, he put up 15 points, nine rebounds and a career-high 10 blocked shots.

Huff posted a 57.1 field goal percentage and 35.8 from the 3-point line, where he is a solid threat as a 7-footer, who started 18 of UVA’s 30 games in a pandemic-shortened season.