Jay Huff

Huff is an American center who reached the NBA after an undrafted journey through multiple G League assignments and brief stints with the Lakers, Wizards, and Nuggets before establishing himself with the Memphis Grizzlies and Indiana Pacers. His path reflects a patient development process anchored by a decorated college career at Virginia.

Born James Matthew Huff on August 25, 1997, in Durham, North Carolina, Huff was a four-year varsity player at Voyager Academy under his father, Mike Huff. As a senior, he became the school's all-time leading scorer and led the team to a Class 1A state title, earning MVP honors with a triple-double of 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 blocks in the final. He averaged 16.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. He committed to Virginia in May 2015.

At Virginia, Huff redshirted his first year to gain strength and conditioning. He contributed to the Cavaliers' 2019 national championship run and set career highs as a junior with 8.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game. As a senior, he averaged 13.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks while shooting 58.5 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from three, earning Second Team All-ACC and ACC All-Defensive Team honors.

After going undrafted in 2021, Huff played in the G League for the South Bay Lakers and was named the NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year in 2023. He signed 10-day contracts with the Washington Wizards and Denver Nuggets and earned rotation minutes with the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2024-25 season. In July 2025, he was acquired by the Indiana Pacers.

Huff is a 7-foot-1 stretch center with shot-blocking instincts and a reliable three-point stroke for his size. He scores on pick-and-pops, post-ups against smaller defenders, and putbacks around the rim. His rim protection and ability to space the floor make him a situational option for teams needing a backup big who can stretch defenses and protect the paint.

Huff enters each season as a veteran center with a national championship pedigree and a G League Defensive Player of the Year award. His trajectory from a redshirt freshman at Virginia to an NBA rotation player reflects patience, defensive intelligence, and a commitment to expanding his offensive range at every level.