D-League Watch: Vince Hunter

Vince Hunter, Reno Bighorns, Forward, 6’7, 208

(2015-16, 34.9 mpg, 7 games) 19.0 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 1.3 apg, 0.9 spg, 0.9 bpg, 2.3 tpg

52.0 FG%, 63.6 FT%, 55.7 TS%, 52.5 eFG%

22.7 USG%, 18.3 OREB%, 20.3 DREB%, 19.3 TRB%

DOB: 8/5/1994 (21) College: Texas-El Paso Yrs: Rookie

Before the D-League

Hunter played two seasons at Texas-El Paso then went undrafted in the 2015 NBA Draft. Hunter averaged 14.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1 block per game as a sophomore. He shot 52.6 percent from the field, 60.2 percent from the free throw line, and hit 4 of 10 three-point shots attempted. Hunter was named First Team All-Conference USA last year, and was one of 15 finalists for the Julius Erving Award for the nation’s top small forward.

What has he shown so far?

Hunter has found himself in the Reno starting lineup since his first game, and his combination of length and athleticism makes him a good undersized 5 based on their system. Hunter’s offense has been limited to a few roles so far, but he has handled them well. He’s a decent screener on the perimeter, but his ability to open up quickly to the ball, use his long strides to get to the rim, and finish strong, has made him very effective in the pick-and-roll. If not screening, you will find him on the baseline, waiting to make a basket cut off of penetration for a lob or offensive rebound, or hanging around the elbows, where he can use his size and ballhandling ability to beat his man off the dribble. Now his ballhandling skills aren’t very impressive, even for his size, but if he has lane which will allow him to drive right, he can get to the basket fairly quick. I mentioned the offensive rebounds already, and that’s where Hunter has made his biggest impact, averaging 6 per game through the first 7 games of the season. With his long arms and quick-leaping ability, Hunter forces teams to try to keep him away from the glass when shots go up, and his activity around the rim can often force teams to pick up fouls. Also, with his ability to run the floor well, he is able to clean up any misses in transition. Defensively, Hunter has the length and athleticism to defend multiple positions, though due to match-ups, he can often get tasked with defending much bigger and stronger players in the post. Though he can give away strength, he battles with opposing big men for position in the post, trying to use his length to deny entry passes or front the player. When Hunter is brought out to the perimeter is where he has more problems on defense. He doesn’t move his feet very well, and he has a tendency to stand straight up on defense, often leaving him a step behind when his man makes a move to the basket. Still, his length can be disruptive on the perimeter, getting into passing lanes and closing on shooters. Further, Hunter’s quick-leaping ability allows him to be an undersized rim protector, though he does need to watch for falling for shot fakes, drawing him into cheap fouls.

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What does he need to show next?

Hunter has found a role that suits his abilities right now in Reno, but at just 21 years old, there is still room for him to develop much more in the next few years on both ends of the floor. The biggest thing missing from his game right now is a reliable perimeter shot, which would make him an even bigger threat with his abilities in the pick-and-roll game. Hunter doesn’t have poor form, though he can rush his motion. Building confidence in both mid- and long-range jumpers will open up Hunter’s game even more. Also, free throw shooting has plagued him since college, and a more fluid motion would definitely help him there. As mentioned above, his ballhandling skills are below average, and while his role in Reno doesn’t require him to put the ball on the floor often, it may not be the case in other places. Defensively, he really needs to tighten up on his perimeter defense, everything from positioning to stance, to lateral movement.

Where does he go from here?

Hunter is off to a great start in Reno, and at just 21, there is time for him to develop his other keys areas to make him a more versatile player, especially on offense. He has the athletic ability and length that NBA teams would like in a wing, though his game is suited for that yet. There’s the possibility he could play as a small 4 for some teams, and his ability to run the floor and crash the boards could create some potential mismatches. The key is there’s no rush for Hunter to leave his situation right now in Reno, as he’s building confidence, and with a strong developmental group there, could help him make a solid run at an NBA roster with Sacramento next season.

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