Tyrese Haliburton shows excitement about Indiana Pacers’ new center, he might fill Myles Turner’s role

Viral training video sparks optimism about Jay Huff’s potential, including from Tyrese Haliburton

However, hope emerged through an unexpected source already on their roster. Jay Huff has generated excitement through viral training footage that showcases his potential as Turner’s successor.

The 26-year-old center brings an intriguing combination of size, shooting ability, and defensive instincts that could address Indiana’s frontcourt needs moving forward.

Social media footage of Huff’s workout session created buzz among Pacers fans and players alike. The video highlighted his improved conditioning, dunking ability, and three-point shooting range.

Tyrese Haliburton expressed enthusiasm about his new teammate’s development, responding to the viral content with a simple “Damn” that conveyed his excitement about Huff’s progress.

ESPN host Pat McAfee amplified the discussion by engaging with Haliburton’s reaction, posting “That Jay Huff stuff is tuff bruh” on social media, further spreading awareness of the center’s improved skills.

The viral nature of the training footage reflects growing anticipation about Huff’s expanded role with the Pacers. His development could provide crucial frontcourt depth as Indiana navigates Turner’s absence.

Last season, Huff showed his shooting capabilities with the Grizzlies

Huff appeared in 64 games for the Grizzlies last season, averaging 6.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 0.9 blocks in 11.7 minutes per contest.

His limited role restricted statistical production but revealed promising shooting efficiency.

The center connected on 40.5% of his three-point attempts, demonstrating the floor-spacing ability that Turner provided for Indiana. His perimeter shooting opens offensive possibilities that traditional centers cannot offer.

Huff’s shooting percentage ranked among the better marks for centers attempting significant three-point volume.

This skill set aligns perfectly with modern NBA offensive systems that prioritize spacing and versatility, including Rick Carlisle‘s system.

Jay Huff‘s journey from undrafted to G League success

Huff entered the NBA as an undrafted player from the 2021 class, beginning his professional career with the Lakers before stops in Washington, Denver, and Memphis.

Most of his early career involved G League development, where he excelled defensively and earned recognition for his shot-blocking ability.

Huff won Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2023 with the Capital City Go-Go after leading the league with 4.0 blocks per game.

His defensive instincts translated from college at Virginia, where he developed under Tony Bennett’s system that emphasized team defense and positional awareness.

NBA defense presents greater challenges than G League competition, but if Huff’s shot-blocking instincts and attacking aspects improve along the way, he might have a big role in the Pacers’ rotation.