Can Jay Huff Develop Into A Reliable NBA Center?

Among the fascinating young players that Los Angeles is keeping an eye on during the preseason, which began tonight against the Sacramento Kings and former Lakers head coach Mike Brown, is second-year centre Jay Huff.

On an Exhibit 10 deal, the centre, a two-way player with LA the previous season, returns to L.A. Let’s look at what he could have to give Los Angeles if he is selected for the team’s starting lineup.

Although Huff, 24, has the theoretical makings of a floor-spacing, rim-rolling, pick-setting monster, he has found it difficult to carve out much of a role for himself when playing against defensive talent of NBA quality. Huff’s fast feet have been a major turnoff. At the collegiate level, he shown some athleticism, but in the pros, that has not been the case. On the other hand, he is not yet physically capable of competing against league centres.

The University of Virginia’s 7’1″, 240-pound big man has some alluring qualities. He developed into a strong pick-and-roll and mid-range pick-and-pop player in college, which could possibly help some Los Angeles stars in the low post (assuming he makes the Lakers’ cut). When playing one-on-one coverages, he struggles to establish separation. He is energetic and involved off the ball and is aware enough to put himself in a good scoring position, which is another fascinating aspect of his game that might benefit L.A.

Huff was a standout rim protector in college. In 2020–21, his final NCAA season, he averaged an astounding 2.6 blocks per game. During that season, he made 3.0 three-point tries per game, connecting on 38.7% of them (over his four-year career, he made 1.6 attempts). Additionally, as a senior, he made 40% of his pick-and-pop jumpers. He recorded an outstanding slash line of.585/.387/.837 for the whole year. Huff was named to the ACC All-Defensive Team and the All-ACC Second Team during his spectacular last season with the Cavaliers.

Huff struggles with quickness and weight, but he’s also a poor rebounder who has occasionally handled the ball carelessly.

Huff signed a two-way deal with Los Angeles after going undrafted in 2021, and after participating in just four games with the Lakers the previous season, he was released. He agreed to stay with the South Bay Lakers, the team’s NBA League club in El Segundo, for the remainder of 2021–2022. Over the course of 28 regular season games, all starts, he averaged 15.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks for South Bay.