Huff signs multi-year deal with NBA’s Grizzlies

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Jay Huff, one of the most popular players to wear a Virginia uniform, has agreed to a multi-year contract with the NBA’s Memphis Grizzlies.

The team announced its decision on Monday, filling its final roster spot with the 27-year-old Huff, who originally signed a two-way deal with the Grizzlies. The 7-foot-1, 240-pound Huff has been playing behind rookie Zach Edey, and in three games so far this season, Huff is averaging 13 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game, and is also averaging 19 minutes per game. He is shooting 63.6 percent overall and 57 percent from the 3-point line.

Prior to this season, Huff played 100 games in the G League for Grand Rapids, Capital City and the South Bay Lakers. He was selected as the G League Defensive Player of the Year in 2022-23 and made the G League First Team and the league’s All-Defensive Team with Capital City.

Huff has played in a total of 34 NBA games for Memphis, the Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Lakers, averaging 3.3 points and 1.4 rebounds in 6.5 minutes per game over the past four seasons.

Huff was a member of Tony Bennett’s 2019 Virginia national championship team.

Memphis needed help in rim protection and shooting, something that Huff has excelled in during his brief playing time with the club.