WVU Basketball Enjoying Historic Streak of Alumni on NBA Opening Day Rosters

Three former WVU basketball players are on the Opening Day NBA rosters: Knicks guard Miles “Deuce” McBride, Bulls guard Jevon Carter and Grizzlies guard Javon Small. This representation is the second time in consecutive years, but is still rare for the program.

Last season, WVU was represented by Carter, McBride and Timberwolves center Jesse Edwards. Before that trio, the last time WVU had three players on Opening Day rosters was in 1970 with Jerry West, Ron Williams and Rod Thorn.

Good luck to our guys! 🏀@nextlevel_03 @deucemcb11 @small_javon https://t.co/eP3fYVWM9M pic.twitter.com/Gj1AWrqiuX

— WVU Men's Basketball (@WVUhoops) October 21, 2025

McBride has become a key piece for the Knicks, playing 24.9 minutes per game while averaging 9.5 points, 2.9 assists and 2.5 rebounds last season. He helped the Knicks advance to the Eastern Conference Finals, where they lost in six games to the Indiana Pacers.

In December 2023, McBride signed a $13 million extension with the Knicks over the next three years. The Knicks traded away several players throughout the season, allowing McBride to pick up more minutes in the rotation.

McBride played two seasons at West Virginia from 2019-21, leading the Mountaineers to an NCAA Tournament appearance during his sophomore year. McBride averaged 15.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.9 steals per game at WVU.

Carter’s usage went down in his second season with the Bulls, averaging 8.9 minutes per game in 36 games played. he had 4.3 points per game last year.

Carter signed with the Bulls, the NBA team he grew up rooting for, before the 2022-23 season. Prior to joining the Bills, the WVU product was most recently with the Bucks for a season and a half after signing with Milwaukee in February 2022. Before that, Carter played for the Brooklyn Nets for a season, was able to experience the NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns and was drafted in the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft by the Memphis Grizzlies.

On the note of WVU guards drafted by the Grizzlies, Small is about to begin his rookie year in the NBA on a two-way deal with Memphis after being drafted No. 48 overall.

Small, West Virginia’s point guard during the 2024-25 season, led the Mountaineers to a 19-12 record, just missing out on the NCAA Tournament. He finished second in the Big 12 in scoring, averaging 18.6 points per game while earning first-team All-Big 12 honors.

Note: Joe Mazzulla also represents WVU as head coach of the Boston Celtics.

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