From the hallowed courts of Iona Preparatory School to the bright lights of the NBA, Ty Jerome’s basketball journey has reached another milestone. The Cleveland Cavaliers guard erupted for 21 points off the bench in a statement performance, solidifying his position as a finalist for the NBA’s prestigious Sixth Man of the Year award for the 2024-25 season.
Jerome joins Malik Beasley of Detroit and Payton Pritchard of Boston as the elite trio of candidates for the honor. The New Rochelle native’s effectiveness as a reserve and contributor has been instrumental to the Cavaliers’ success this season, with his shooting prowess and playmaking abilities making him one of the NBA’s best bench weapons.
Ty Jerome’s Journey From Iona Prep to NBA Game-Changer
Ty Jerome’s basketball foundation started at Iona Preparatory School, where he starred as a four-year varsity player. His junior year was especially memorable as he averaged 20 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game and earned First Team All-State honors.
He also earned Westchester Player of the Year and led Iona Prep to its first Class AA Archdiocesan championship.
Big day for former @IonaPrepBBall guy Ty Jerome
He has 21 points off the bench for the Cavs and was named a Sixth Man of the Year finalist https://t.co/TMlkeoOiUK
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) April 21, 2025
Though a hip injury cut short his senior campaign after he had been averaging 24.7 points per game, his development at Iona Prep set the stage for his collegiate career at Virginia, where he eventually helped orchestrate one of college basketball’s greatest redemption stories by leading the Virginia Cavaliers to the 2019 NCAA Championship.
Jerome’s time at Virginia helped develop his basketball intelligence and clutch gene. His junior season showcased his elite decision-making with an ACC-leading 3.6 assist-to-turnover ratio and shooting nearly 40% from three.
These talents reached a peak during an NCAA Tournament run, during which he excelled with 16 points, eight assists, and six rebounds in the national championship game.
Selected 24th overall in the 2019 NBA Draft, Jerome’s professional journey has taken him through multiple organizations before finding his ideal role with Cleveland.
Now in his prime at 27 years old, he has blossomed into one of the league’s most efficient bench scorers. This was highlighted by a career-high 33-point explosion against Philadelphia in January, during which he shot a perfect eight-for-eight from beyond the arc.
RELATED: Does College Basketball Experience Translate to NBA Playoff Success?
Jerome’s emergence as a Sixth Man finalist represents both personal triumph and pride for the Iona Prep community, where he remains the school’s first NBA first-round pick.
His journey from New Rochelle to NBA stardom inspires, proving that with skill development, basketball intelligence, and perseverance, even the highest basketball dreams can become reality.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and baseball!
