As the 2021-22 NBA season begins, six former University of Tennessee basketball players have made their respective teams’ opening night rosters.
Former Volunteers in the NBA include veterans Josh Richardson, Grant Williams and Tobias Harris.
Yves Pons, Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer will each begin their rookie campaigns this season.
Williams and Richardson will both play in Boston this season.
Williams was a first-round pick by the Celtics in 2019 after playing at Tennessee for three years. He left after his junior season as the two-time Southeastern Conference Player of the Year.
Richardson joins Boston this season after playing for the Dallas last year. He also played for Miami and Philadelphia during his career.
Harris and Springer will play for the 76ers. Harris, a first-round pick by the Charlotte Bobcats in 2011, previously played for Milwaukee, Orlando, Detroit and the Clippers. He joined Philadelphia as a 2019 trade deadline acquisition from Los Angeles.
Springer will begin his rookie season this year.
Pons, an undrafted free agent, signed with Memphis this summer. He will be on the Grizzlies’ opening-night roster. Pons will be a two-way player, splitting time with Memphis and the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G-League.
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