Expectations for Cavs guard Ty Jerome heading into this season were not necessarily sky-high. The former Virginia Cavalier suffered a knee injury last season and only played in two games. However, nearly 20 games into this season, Jerome is back to being one of the best bench players in the NBA.
Cavs Guard Ty Jerome Making Case for Sixth Man of the Year
Jerome was drafted in the 2019 NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns. After stops in Oklahoma City and Golden State, the guard found himself in Cleveland. Jerome signed a two-year $5 million deal with the Cavs in the 2023 offseason. Jerome was poised to serve as the team’s backup point guard before injury struck. Jerome missed 80 of 82 games last season leaving his future in doubt.
However, less than a year later, he is playing his best basketball. Jerome is averaging career highs in nearly every statistical category. Through 18 games, he is averaging 12.6 points, 3.8 assists, and 1.3 steals per game. Most impressive, he is shooting far above expectation, Jerome is shooting 59.7% from the floor, 10th best in the NBA, and a league-leading 54.4% from behind the arc. Before this season, Jerome had only shot above 40% from three once in his career.
Sixth Man Of The Year?
Because of his stellar play, Jerome has helped the Cavs to a 17-1 record to open the season. But individually, Jerome is in the race for the league’s Sixth Man of the Year award. Among bench players, Jerome is fifth in field goal percentage, despite taking at least three more shots than those above him. Additionally, his previously mentioned league-leading three-point percentage gives him a clear case. Jerome has started two games this season, due to injury.
According to HoopsHype, Jerome is the favorite for the award. Jerome will face his stiffest competition from Celtics guard Payton Pritchard. Pritchard is averaging 14.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists so far this season. However, Pritchard is shooting 47.3% from the field and 42.6% from three, great numbers but significantly below Jerome.
Ty Jerome is the Sixth Man of the Year (so far), per HoopsHype's Global Rating. pic.twitter.com/SzqgEWNOAA
— HoopsHype (@hoopshype) November 25, 2024
Both guards have been very impactful for their team as both are off to hot starts this season. Last season, the award winner was Timberwolves big man Naz Reid. Reid averaged 13.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.7 stocks per game on 47.7% from the floor and 41.1% from three. Reid’s ability as a big man to stretch the floor while defending multiple positions made him a vital member of the Timberwolves team that made the Western Conference finals last season.
Why Jerome?
It feels inevitable that Jerome will eventually hit a shooting slump. The Cleveland guard is setting career-highs seemingly every night. He set his career-high for three-pointers made (seven) and points (29) last Wednesday, Nov. 20 against the Pelicans, breaking his previous career record that he set three days prior. Despite playing 19 minutes per game, Jerome is impacting the Cavs at a high level. Even when he hits his eventual shooting slump, his passing, defense, and leadership bring him immense value.
Coming off a major injury, not many expected Jerome to have a breakout season. But, the former NCAA national champion is proving everyone wrong, helping the Cavs to the best record in the league. Though the season is just about a quarter of the way through, Ty Jerome is the Sixth Man of the Year.
