The whole idea of the “unicorn” mould for various top NBA Draft prospects is mostly in the rear view mirror. That “next generation” that was supposed to revolutionize the NBA a few years back with the likes of Chicago Bulls power forward Lauri Markkanen and Dallas Mavericks big man Kristaps Porzingis should now be behind us.
And while the Virginia Cavaliers towering 7-foot-3 big man Jay Huff doesn’t exactly fit that unicorn mould that Kristaps and Lauri did back in 2016 and 2017, he shares a lot of the similar floor spacing and shot creating abilities.
Head coach Tony Bennett and the “Hoos” will be looking to defend their title crown heading into the month of March. This is when college hoops and NBA fans across the country will get to see what this Virginia frontcourt duo of Mamadi Diakite and Huff can really do.
So far this season, Huff is averaging 8.1 points per game, 6.1 rebounds, and 0.8 assists, while shooting 58.3 percent from the field and about 35 percent from beyond the arc. He’s better than a career 37 percent shooter from three-point range over the course of his three years in Charlottesville too.
The underrated value that Huff brings to the table on both ends of the floor will be difficult to ignore at the next level. He has one of the best box plus/minus ratings in the entire country (12.7) and is getting close to four win shares. His career block rate of 12.0 percent also shows that he could be a capable rim protector.
If the Chicago Bulls are looking to add frontcourt depth in place of guys like Luke Kornet and Cristiano Felicio, Huff could be the way to go.