Ty Jerome to enter NBA Draft, signs agent: UVA Hoops News

Ty Jerome announced Monday via Instagram that he will enter the NBA Draft and sign with an agent.

The 6-foot-5 junior guard just helped lead UVA Basketball to its first national title, averaging 16.5 points and 6.0 assists per game in the NCAA Tournament, scoring in double-digits in all six of Virginia’s tourney games, including a 24-point effort against Purdue in the Elite Eight and a team-high 21 against Auburn in the Final Four.

In the championship, Jerome recorded 16 points, six rebounds and eight assists.

For the season, Jerome averaged 13.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 5.5 assists this season and was a second-team All-ACC selection. He shot 43.5 percent from the floor and 39.9 percent from three.

“The last three years at Virginia have been everything I could have dreamed of in a college experience,” Jerome wrote on his Instagram post. “When Coach Bennett recruited me he said he would never stop challenging me to improve, on and off the court – and he meant it. He did that every single day, and he made me a better basketball player and better man. I am eternally grateful to him and the entire coaching staff, and fans. I also want to give a special thank you to our strength coach, coach Curtis and our athletic trainer, Ethan Saliba; the best in the business!

“I came to Virginia to win a national championship and to be able to do that with my brothers is a dream come true. And to the best fans in college basketball – we would not have done it without you.

“Last but certainly not least, I want to thank my mom, dad, brother and entire family. The time, effort and love they have given me is truly a gift, and I would not have had this opportunity without them.”

Jerome is projected as a late first-round or early second-round pick in the NBA Draft, which takes place June 20. His standout junior season has certainly helped his draft stock. Jerome showed the ability to play both on the ball and as a shooting guard, and his leadership on the court was invaluable throughout the season.

With Jerome officially declaring and De’Andre Hunter likely to follow suit, the Cavaliers will have to replace two of their top three scorers next season. Jerome is the first player to declare early since Justin Anderson in 2015.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

The last three years at Virginia have been everything I could have dreamed of in a college experience. When Coach Bennett recruited me he said he would never stop challenging me to improve, on and off the court – and he meant it. He did that every single day, and he made me a better basketball player and better man. I am eternally grateful to him and the entire coaching staff, and fans. I also want to give a special thank you to our strength coach, coach Curtis and our athletic trainer, Ethan Saliba; the best in the business! I came to Virginia to win a national championship and to be able to do that with my brothers is a dream come true. And to the best fans in college basketball – we would not have done it without you. Last but certainly not least, I want to thank my mom, dad, brother and entire family. The time, effort and love they have given me is truly a gift, and I would not have had this opportunity without them. I have had a ball in my hand basically since the day I was born. My dream has always been to play in the NBA. Therefore, after speaking with my family and coaches and giving it a lot of thought, I know it’s the right time to announce that I will be entering the NBA draft and signing with an agent. I will forever be a wahoo🧡 UVA, from the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU!

A post shared by Ty Jerome (@tyjerome_) on Apr 15, 2019 at 7:58am PDT

Reporting by Zach Pereles and Chris Graham