James Matthew Huff (born August 25, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Pacers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). A 7-foot-1 center known for his shot-blocking and perimeter shooting, Huff played four seasons of college basketball for the Virginia Cavaliers, where he was part of the program’s 2019 NCAA championship run and earned All-ACC and ACC All-Defensive Team honors as a senior. Undrafted in 2021, Huff developed through multiple stints in the NBA G League and was named the NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year in 2023. In July 2025, Huff was acquired by the Pacers, where he established himself as a productive rim protector and stretch five off the bench.
Jay Huff Early Life and Background
Jay Huff was born on August 25, 1997, in Durham, North Carolina, to Mike Huff and Kathy Huff. Both of his parents were former college basketball players. His father, Mike, played for Pacific Lutheran University and later served as the director of the Michael W. Krzyzewski Human Performance Laboratory at Duke University. His mother, Kathy, played for West Virginia. Huff grew up immersed in basketball, with his family’s athletic legacy setting the foundation for his future career.
Huff attended Voyager Academy in Durham, North Carolina, where he was a four-year varsity basketball player under the coaching of his father, Mike Huff. On January 21, 2016, as a senior, Huff became his school’s all-time leading scorer. He led Voyager Academy to the Class 1A state title, earning most valuable player honors after recording a triple-double of 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 blocks in the championship game. Huff finished the season averaging 16.3 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game.
Path to Professional Basketball
As a four-star recruit, Huff received interest from multiple major basketball programs in the region. Growing up minutes from the University of North Carolina, Huff was familiar with the area’s prominent basketball programs. However, his thin frame and long-term development profile made him a better fit for Tony Bennett’s system at Virginia, which emphasized defense and patient player development. The Cavaliers recruited him early, offering a clear development path in their defensive-oriented scheme, and Huff committed to Virginia in May 2015.
Huff redshirted his first year at Virginia to improve his strength and conditioning, gaining approximately 30 pounds before the start of the 2017-18 season. He appeared in 12 games as a redshirt freshman, averaging 3.4 points and 1.9 rebounds in 8.8 minutes per game while shooting 68 percent from the field. His development continued through his sophomore and junior seasons, with his senior year in 2020-21 representing his most complete collegiate campaign.
Jay Huff Career
Virginia Cavaliers (2016-2021)
Huff redshirted his freshman year at Virginia to focus on physical development, adding approximately 30 pounds before the 2017-18 season. He appeared in 12 games as a redshirt freshman, averaging 3.4 points and 1.9 rebounds per game while shooting 68 percent from the field. Ahead of the 2018-19 season, Huff underwent surgery for a torn labrum that sidelined him for three to four months. He returned to contribute to Virginia’s national championship run, averaging 4.4 points in 9.3 minutes per game on 60.4 percent shooting.
Huff delivered several high-impact performances during his collegiate career, including 17 points and six blocks in a win over Georgia Tech on January 18, 2020, and a near-triple-double of 15 points, 10 blocks, and nine rebounds in a victory over Duke, making him the second player in program history with at least 10 blocks in a game. He was part of Virginia’s 2019 championship core alongside future NBA players De’Andre Hunter and Ty Jerome, with both later acknowledging his impact on that title team.
As a junior in 2019-20, Huff set career highs with 8.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks per game while anchoring one of the nation’s best defenses. His development continued into his senior season, when offseason training involving more than 18,000 practice shots with longtime family friend and coach Bob MacKinnon helped him become one of college basketball’s most efficient two-way players. In 2020-21, Huff averaged 13.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game 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. Following the 2020-21 season, Huff declared for the 2021 NBA Draft.
Los Angeles Lakers and South Bay Lakers (2021-2023)
After going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft, Huff joined the Washington Wizards for the 2021 NBA Summer League. On September 21, 2021, he signed with the Wizards but was waived on October 13. On October 18, 2021, Huff signed a two-way contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. He was waived on January 12, 2022, and subsequently re-acquired by the South Bay Lakers, the Lakers’ G League affiliate. Huff joined the Los Angeles Lakers’ 2022 NBA Summer League roster and played in their Summer League games. On July 27, 2022, Huff signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Los Angeles Lakers before being waived on October 15, 2022. He subsequently rejoined South Bay to continue his development.
Washington Wizards and Capital City Go-Go (2023)
On March 2, 2023, Huff signed a two-way contract with the Washington Wizards and was assigned to their G League affiliate, the Capital City Go-Go. On April 4, 2023, he was named NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year after leading the league with 4.0 blocks per game. He also earned All-NBA G League First Team and NBA G League All-Defensive Team honors that season, establishing himself as one of the premier rim protectors in the developmental league.
Denver Nuggets and Grand Rapids Gold (2023-2024)
On July 18, 2023, Huff signed a two-way contract with the Denver Nuggets. He spent most of the 2023-24 season with the Grand Rapids Gold, Denver’s G League team, while appearing in limited games for the Nuggets. His time in Denver provided additional development opportunities in the Nuggets’ system.
Memphis Grizzlies (2024-2025)
On July 24, 2024, Huff signed a two-way contract with the Memphis Grizzlies. On October 26, 2024, he scored a career-high 18 points in a home victory against the Orlando Magic. Two days later, on October 28, 2024, Huff signed a four-year, $10.1 million contract with the Grizzlies, converting from his two-way deal into a guaranteed NBA contract. Huff made 64 appearances with two starts for Memphis during the 2024-25 NBA season, averaging 6.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game while showcasing his ability to contribute as a two-way player.
Indiana Pacers (2025-Present)
On July 6, 2025, Huff was traded to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for a 2029 second-round pick and a 2031 second-round pick swap. He quickly became a key contributor off the bench for the Pacers, providing valuable rim protection and stretch-five versatility. On November 19, 2025, Huff scored 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists against the Charlotte Hornets. On January 16, 2026, he scored a career-high 29 points and grabbed nine rebounds against the New Orleans Pelicans. During the 2025-26 season, Huff played in all 82 games and ranked third in the league in blocks per game, establishing himself as one of the NBA’s top rim protectors.
Playing Style and Strengths
Huff’s game is defined by his unique combination of size, shot-blocking ability, and perimeter shooting. At 7-foot-1, he serves as an elite rim protector who anchors the paint on defense while also spacing the floor as a stretch five with three-point range. His reverse dunks and efficient scoring around the basket add to his offensive arsenal. His basketball IQ and understanding of defensive schemes, developed through his time at Virginia under Tony Bennett, make him a reliable two-way player capable of fitting into various team structures.
Notable Events and Milestones
Huff’s career has been marked by steady progression from an undrafted free agent to a productive NBA rotation player. His NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year award in 2023 validated his development path through the minor leagues. His first guaranteed contract with Memphis in 2024 represented a significant milestone in his career. The 2025-26 season has been his most productive, with career-high scoring performances and consistent defensive contributions. His journey exemplifies the value of persistence and development in professional basketball.
Jay Huff Career Achievements
Throughout his basketball career, Huff has accumulated notable achievements at both the collegiate and professional levels, establishing himself as a defensive standout with scoring ability.
College and NBA G League Highlights
During his collegiate career at Virginia, Huff was part of the 2019 NCAA championship team, earning Second-team All-ACC and ACC All-Defensive Team honors as a senior in 2021. In the NBA G League, Huff was named NBA G League Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, also earning All-NBA G League First Team and NBA G League All-Defensive Team honors that season. He led the G League in blocks per game with 4.0 during his award-winning campaign.
Jay Huff Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Huff comes from a basketball family with strong athletic credentials. Both of his parents were former college basketball players. His father, Mike Huff, played for Pacific Lutheran University before pursuing a career in sports performance. He later became the director of the Michael W. Krzyzewski Human Performance Laboratory at Duke University, where he worked with elite athletes. His mother, Kathy Huff, played for West Virginia University. This basketball lineage undoubtedly influenced Huff’s development and love for the game from an early age.
Personal Life
Huff is a member of the Chi Alpha Christian fellowship at the University of Virginia, reflecting his commitment to his Christian faith. He has expressed aspirations to become a minister when he retires from professional basketball. Huff maintains a connection to his faith community and values, which have guided him throughout his basketball career and personal development.
2025-26 Season Performance
The 2025-26 NBA season represents a breakout campaign for Huff with the Indiana Pacers. After being acquired in July 2025, Huff established himself as a consistent contributor off the bench for the Pacers, appearing in all 82 games during the regular season. His defensive presence was particularly notable, as he ranked third in the league in blocks per game, solidifying his reputation as one of the NBA’s premier rim protectors. His ability to protect the paint while also stretching the floor with his shooting made him a valuable two-way player for the Pacers’ rotation.
Huff’s offensive game also flourished with increased opportunities, as he posted multiple career-high scoring performances including a 29-point game against the New Orleans Pelicans in January 2026. His evolution from a developmental project to a reliable NBA contributor reflects the patience and persistence that have characterized his career path since going undrafted in 2021. The combination of his defensive prowess and improved offensive consistency has made him an integral part of the Pacers’ bench unit.