Former USU Star Sam Merrill Thriving with Cleveland Cavaliers

Merrill is having a breakout season, averaging a career-high 13 points per game and shooting 43.5% from three-point range.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:49am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball game or match, with sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette representing the dynamic energy and success of Sam Merrill's breakout season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.The geometric, cubist-inspired illustration captures the dynamic energy and multi-faceted nature of Sam Merrill's breakout NBA season with the Cleveland Cavaliers.Salt Lake City Today

Sam Merrill, the former Utah State standout, is enjoying a breakout season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. After struggling to find his footing in his first five years in the NBA, Merrill has become a key contributor for the Cavaliers, who are an NBA championship contender. Merrill credits the faith and trust the Cavaliers organization has shown in him, as well as his close friendship with teammate Donovan Mitchell, as major factors in his success.

Why it matters

Merrill's success is a feel-good story for Utah basketball fans, as he is representing his home state well in the NBA. His breakout season also highlights the growing pipeline of talent from Utah State University to the professional ranks, with Merrill's former Aggies teammate Neemias Queta also having a strong year with the Boston Celtics.

The details

In his sixth NBA season, Merrill is averaging a career-high 13 points per game while shooting 43.5% from three-point range. He has become a starter for the Cavaliers, who signed him to a 4-year, $38 million extension last year. Merrill credits the Cavaliers' coaching staff and organization for giving him the confidence and opportunity to thrive, as well as his close friendship with teammate Donovan Mitchell, a 7-time NBA All-Star.

  • Merrill first played in Utah two years ago, when he was 'as nervous as I'd been for a basketball game in a long time'.
  • Merrill signed a 4-year, $38 million extension with the Cavaliers last year.

The players

Sam Merrill

A former standout at Bountiful High School and Utah State University, Merrill is now in his sixth NBA season and is having a breakout year with the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging a career-high 13 points per game.

Donovan Mitchell

A 7-time NBA All-Star who plays for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Mitchell has been a close friend and mentor to Merrill since he joined the team.

Neemias Queta

Merrill's former Utah State teammate, Queta is also having a strong season with the Boston Celtics, continuing the pipeline of talent from Utah State to the NBA.

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What they’re saying

“The faith that this organization and coaching staff has shown in me. The trust that they've put in to me to not only be just part of the team, but an important part of it, I think is giving me the confidence to go out there and get more and more comfortable in everything that I try and do.”

— Sam Merrill

“He's one of my closest guys on the team. For me, it's just telling him that I just believe in him. He didn't play much the first year he was with us, and to see him go from that, to the role he's having, to signing that extension and well deserved. A lot of that is his own work. For me, it was just like continuing to instill like, hey, we believe in you. We believe in you, we want you here. We want you to continue to be great, and he's done it himself to get to this point.”

— Donovan Mitchell

What’s next

Merrill and the Cavaliers will look to continue their strong season and make a deep playoff run, with Merrill playing an increasingly important role.

The takeaway

Merrill's breakout season with the Cavaliers is a heartwarming story for Utah basketball fans, as the former Aggie star is thriving in the NBA and representing his home state well. His close friendship with Donovan Mitchell has also been a key factor in his success.