While many former Virginia Cavaliers players have had a great start to this NBA season, Ty Jerome is the only one who has excelled for an undefeated team. The Virginia great has been an important contributor for the Cleveland Cavaliers so far this season. Cleveland owns the best record in the NBA at 8-0, with Jerome firmly in the rotation as a backup point guard to Darius Garland.

His minutes have been quite consistent so far, averaging 14.6 per game, while he featured several times in the fourth quarter, with head coach Kenny Atkinson showing confidence in Jerome’s play to keep the wins going to help consolidate the trajectory. His free throw percentage of 88% certainly has something to do with that.

Through those eight games, Jerome has averaged 9.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists. He scored in double figures four times and scored 14 points three times, the last of which came against the Los Angeles Lakers. Jerome hit shot after shot during an impressive fourth quarter, while also adding four assists and two boards in the home win.

He has found his footing as a scorer all over the floor, shooting 57% from the field and a spectacular 50% from three. Similar to the ‘Hoos, he continues to find ways to get around his defenders despite not being the prototypical freak-athlete seen at the NBA level.

His patented floater has also found its way into the hearts of Cleveland fans, a shot he put on an absolute clinic in the 2019 national title game.

Jerome was the go-to guy during his time in Charlottesville when the ‘Hoos needed a bucket with the shot clock dwindling, and he has showcased that ability for NBA fans in 2024.

It’s hard not to think of the countless times he saved the ‘Hoos during the title run only to see him take a nasty step back, like he did here on opening night against the Raptors.

As effective and lauded as Jerome has been in attack, he has done his best to pay tribute to his former and now retired head coach, Tony Bennett, by also contributing as a defender.

In the Cavs’ most recent game against the Bucks, Jerome had this beautiful steal against seven-time all-star Damian Lillard for an easy layup at the other end. A high IQ play from a crafty player as he leaped the ball screen to the surprise of the Bucks star guard.

It’s great to see a former Cavalier making an impact in the NBA, but for a guy like Jerome, who has risen through the league and is now on his fifth franchise in six seasons, it’s especially great.

It’s clear that the Cleveland fanbase is growing to love his game more and more with each passing night as a major depth piece, and who can blame them? Hopefully, both he and the Cavs can keep things moving in November.