A new NBA season tips off Tuesday night, with eight former UConn Huskies on eight different teams suiting up this season, all with varying levels of service time and aspiration.
Here’s a rundown of the Huskies on opening day rosters:
Andre Drummond - Philadelphia 76ers (14th season)
It is hard to believe the 32-year-old Drummond will begin his 14th professional season with the 76ers when Philadelphia tips off for its opener Oct. 22 against the Celtics. But then again, Drummond was one-and-done in college and played his first professional season at 19.
What Philadelphia will get out of Drummond is yet to be seen. A toe injury limited the big man to just 40 games last season, the first year of a two-year contract he signed in late 2024. Even when he played, his production waned. His 7.3 ppg and 7.8 rpg were uncharacteristic of the two-time all-star and four-time league rebounding leader. He, along with many other Sixers sidelined last year, is looking forward to improving from the team’s dismal 24-58 record.
Tyrese Martin - Brooklyn Nets (3rd season)
The resurgence of Tyrese Martin has been one for UConn fans to enjoy. After a 16-game cup of coffee in the league his rookie season, Martin was banished to the G League for all of 2023-24. He latched on with Brooklyn at first on a two-way deal, but played his way into a standard contract over a 60-game span with the team last year. He started 11 of which, averaging 8.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, and two assists in just over 20 minutes per game.
A strong preseason secured Martin a roster spot, though the addition of former Denver Nugget Michael Porter Jr. could limit Martin’s minutes in what was expected to already be a fairly small role. Brooklyn is not expected to compete in the East this year with the team fully committed to a rebuild, and Martin will have to play his way into the team’s future if he wants to stick around.
Jordan Hawkins - New Orleans Pelicans (3rd season)
The production of Jordan Hawkins in the NBA continues to depend on his back health. Hawkins followed up a successful rookie season (7.8 pp, 17.3 mpg) with an improved sophomore season (10.8, 23.6). The only issue is he played in only 56 games, nine fewer than his rookie year, as a result of a back injury, as he sat the final month of the season. All reports indicate Hawkins is healthy now and a prime candidate to break out, especially with Dejounte Murrary still on the sidelines nursing a torn achilles. The Pelicans say he could return after New Years. Not to forget, New Orleans also traded for ball-dominant Jordan Poole. Nonetheless, Hawkins should get plenty of minutes as he eyes his first full season in year three.
Andre Jackson Jr. - Milwaukee Bucks (3rd season)
It has been a modest start to Andre Jackson Jr.’s professional career, but the former national champion has done enough to stick around with Milwaukee as he prepares for his third season. As the Bucks continued to trim their roster from the preseason allotment of 21 players to the opening night requirement of 15, Jackson was among the last to know his fate. Ultimately, the Bucks kept him on, actively guaranteeing his full $2.2 million salary for the year.
In two seasons, he has averaged 2.9 points, 1.1 assists and 2.4 rebounds in 12.5 minutes per game. His role is unlikely to grow beyond that, but Milwaukee must see some use in Jackson’s skillset if the team continues to keep him on. Last year, Jackson saw an uptake in games played, starts and minutes, and with Damian Lillard having returned to Portland, there could be more opportunities for a versatile guard like Jackson.
Steph Castle - San Antonio Spurs (2nd season)
Prepare yourself for Year Two of the Steph Castle Experience.
Castle is by far the biggest name on this list, primed for professional superstardom. The reigning NBA Rookie of the Year winner played in all but one game last year for San Antonio, averaging 14.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 4.1 assists. The No. 4 overall pick in the 2024 draft has lived up to early expectations with a sophomore surge on deck. With Victor Wembanyama healthy again, the sheer athleticism shared between the two will be sure to produce explosive highlights. They’re campaign gets underway against Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.
Donovan Clingan - Portland Trailblazers (2nd season)
Donovan Clingan is this list’s not-so-secret breakout candidate. The second-year center will all but certainly slide into a starting role after Portland bought out DeAndre Ayton’s contract in June, leaving Clingan his natural successor. The No. 7 pick of the same draft that yielded Castle, Clingan appeared in 67 games his rookie year, posting averages of 6.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks. And yet, he has shown flashes of what true potential was hiding beneath. Remember his near triple-double 17-point, 12-rebound, eight-block game against Minnesota in November? Remember his 17-point, 20-rebound performance last February against Denver? That is the player Portland is hoping Clingan will become on a regular basis with his minutes set to swell. The Blazers will play first Oct. 22 at home against the Timberwolves.
Cam Spencer - Memphis Grizzlies (2nd season)
If Clingan is a not-so-secret breakout pick, Spencer is the under-the-radar breakout pick. Memphis believes it, too. The Grizzlies proved that when they signed him to not one, but two contract extensions in the offseason. What began as a two-year deal, $4.5 million inked in early July was eventually restructured in mid-July to become a four-year contract worth $10.5 million. More money in Spencer’s pockets means more motivation to prove Memphis right for investing that much money in him. His stats do not wow by any means — 4.2 points, 1.4 rebounds, 1.2 assists per game in 25 games — but his on-court ferocity and killer mentality will make the contract stand up.
The departure of shooting guard Luke Kennard from the team cracked a window for Spencer to see more minutes. Injuries up and down the roster have blown that door wide open. Ja Morant, Ty Jerome, Scottie Pippen Jr., Jaren Jackson Jr., Zach Edey, Brandon Clarke, and more are all expected to miss varying amounts of time to begin the season. A healthy Spencer will get an immediate chance to level up his production and development heading into his second season.
Liam McNeeley - Charlotte Hornets (1st season)
This is what Liam McNeeley said at Hornets media day regarding his role heading into his rookie year.
“Coach [Charles] Lee has told me that he wants me to be a connector and very vocal,” he said. “Just kind of like a glue guy that can do a bunch of different things on the court.”
Charlotte has paired cornerstone point guard LaMelo Ball with Collin Sexton in the backcourt, leaving No. 5 overall pick Kon Knueppel as the most likely sixth man candidate. Pat Connaughton was productive with Milwaukee in years past, but is coming off a season with just 41 games played.
This backcourt logjam will force McNeeley to be adaptive and embrace the ‘connector’ role the coaching staff has in mind for him. We know he can get buckets both behind and inside the 3-point line. We saw him act as a traditional point guard when UConn so desperately needed one at times last season. We saw him anchor the defense and out-rebound his own big men at times. He has does all these things and more, but the begging questions are: can they be done at the NBA level? And how consistently? McNeeley and the Hornets will open their season Wednesday night at home against Brooklyn.
Other names worth mentioning
James Bouknight balled out in NBA Summer League but ultimately did not make Portland’s opening night roster. The Timberwolves waived Tristen Newton as part of the team’s final cuts, with the Pacers doing the same to Samson Johnson in late September. Adama Sanogo signed overseas after appearing with the Jazz in summer league, joining Tripani Shark in Sicily in late July.
While he is not playing, Shabazz Napier has accepted a coaching apprentice role with the Washington Wizards, with whom he last played for during the 2019-2020 season. In six seasons, he appeared with six different franchises.
