Scouting Report – R.J. Hunter

Name: R.J. Hunter DOB: 10/24/1993 (21) School: Georgia State

Height: 6’6 Weight: 190 Projected Position: SG

2014-15 Stats:

19.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.6 apg, 2.1 spg, 1.0 bpg, 2.2 tpg (37.0 mpg)

39.5 FG%, 87.8 FT%, 30.5 3FG%, 55.2 TS%, 47.3 eFG%

29.6 USG%, 20.3 AST%, 11.0 TOV%, 3.6 STL%, 3.6 BLK%

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SKILLS & ATHLETIC BREAKDOWN

Offense

Perimeter Shooting

Hunter is a very good perimeter shooter, and his numbers don’t really tell the full story – though he shot just 31 percent from three this season, he hit almost 40 percent as a sophomore on a similar amount of attempts. He does a good job getting square to the basket and into his motion, with good lift and a quick, snap-like release. The quick release is necessary, as Hunter seems to have a low release point, shooting the ball out in front of his forehead. Because of the low release, most of the jumpers he misses hit the rim short, and he needs to find ways to create space against good defenders. Hunter is able to hit his jumper off the catch or dribble, and he is very good from long-range when he is able to step into his shot. He likes to use screens as a pick-and-roll ballhandler, and uses them well to create space for his jumper, both in the mid- and long-range areas. Hunter has range beyond the NBA three-point line, though he needs more space for his shot from long-range because of his low release. Once Hunter gets stronger, he should be able to raise his release and still get his long-range shots off quickly. Hunter’s shot selection can be an issue, especially forcing guarded long-range jumpers, though some of this was a function of being his team’s primary scoring option. Still, Hunter would often just launch shots without a thought, sometimes even while being double-teamed. I expect Hunter’s shot selection to be much better when the pressure is off and he is probably not a primary or secondary scoring option. He can hit the mid-range jumper off the dribble, both to his left and right, and he does a good job stopping and raising straight up for his shot. Hunter moves well without the ball, using screens to get open, and using multiple moves to shake a tough defender. He is very good at using screens in various ways to create space, including curling off the screen or fading to the corner, and he is almost always in position to shoot off the catch.

Ballhandling/Penetration/Passing

Hunter is an above-average ballhandler, with the ability to use both hands well, and able to attack the basket in either direction. Hunter doesn’t have a great first step to the basket, but his ability to knock down long-range jumpers forces defenders to come out on him, giving him the opportunity to get by him, especially if he uses one of his good shot/head fakes. He relies on long strides to get into the lane, and he keeps his head up and has good body control. Hunter goes stronger to the basket when going to his right, and will often pull-up for a jumper when going to his left, but he has shown that he can get to the rim with either hand, and he has the ability to finish with either hand. Hunter can have trouble finishing around the basket, especially with long defenders there, but he can be creative when finding space for shots, including using angles and the backboard. Also, Hunter doesn’t shy away from contact, and he’s learned a few tricks to exaggerate contact and get foul calls, though he may have trouble getting them to work early on in the NBA. Hunter protects the ball fairly well when going to the basket, but can be overly-aggressive, getting himself into bad spots and being forced in bad shots or passes. He doesn’t use many advanced dribbles when looking to get to the basket, but has shown a nice hesitation move, as well as a strong crossover used to create space. Hunter has improved a lot as a pick-and-roll ballhandler, and though he uses the screens often to create his own shots, he has become much better at making reads and finding open teammates. Hunter does a good job dribbling off screens to create space for his mid- and long-range jumpers, though he should work on coming off the screens a bit tighter. He sees the floor well and makes strong, sometimes creative, passes, though he will try too often to force passes into tight spaces.

Free Throw Shooting

Hunter is an excellent free throw shooter, with a consistent routine, compact motion and good follow-through. Hunter his 88 percent of his 230 free throws this year, including some in big moments for the Panthers. Hunter got to the free throw line a lot, especially for a player who is primarily a jump shooter. He has a knack for drawing contact whenever he has the ball, whether it’s using a shot fake to draw defenders in the air on the perimeter, or when attacking the basket. Hunter knows how to react to contact to get whistles from refs, though he can try it too often. It won’t be as effective at the next level, but if Hunter can get to the line, it’s easy points.

Defense

Perimeter Defense (On/Off Ball)

Hunter has the potential to be an average perimeter defender, and though Georgia State played a lot of zone this season, he showed a nice ability to make plays, especially off the ball. On the ball, he positions himself well between his man and the basket, but his lateral movement needs work, his foot speed isn’t great, and he can be slow to react to his man’s movements, especially changes in direction. In isolation, Hunter has a tendency to play on his heels, making it easy for him to be forced off balance. Hunter needs to work on getting over screens quicker, including choosing to go under screens or relying on switches to help him. Off the ball, Hunter is a much better defender though playing in the zone accentuates his good instincts. Hunter positions himself well and plays passing lanes well, using his length to deny or break up passes. He has very good awareness and his reaction time is much better off the ball. Hunter can have trouble navigating through screens off the ball, but he has improved how he uses angles to stay with his man. Hunter does roam a lot and cheat too much towards help position, but he covers ground quickly, and the zone gives him some leeway. Hunter can be active and he closes well on perimeter shooters, though he needs to watch falling for shot fakes, especially when he is trying to recover after helping around the lane. He is a good leaper, and if in help position around the lane, he has the ability to block and alter shots, extending and using his length. Hunter will need to make a good deal of adjustments to handle playing man defense at the NBA level, but the tools are there to eventually be a competent pro defender.

Rebounding

Hunter is a decent rebounder for his size and position, though the number of chances he has is inflated some from playing in the zone and his team forcing a lot of perimeter jumpers He tracks shots well and is quick to get in position, though he doesn’t have the strength to really battle for rebounds in the lane, especially against NBA length and strength. Hunter has the ability to start the team in transition after grabbing a rebound, and his ballhandling and passing ability make it advisable for opponents to try and force the ball out of his hands.

Transition

Hunter is capable of pushing the ball in transition himself, or running one of the wings; both are good options to take advantage of his offensive abilities. Hunter doesn’t have great speed or acceleration in the open floor, though he has good control, sees the floor, and forces defenders to have to make tough choices. When handling the ball, Hunter is a threat to get to the basket, using his long strides and ballhandling ability well to beat defenders, as well as being able to knockdown mid- and long-range jumpers off the dribble. Of course, with Hunter’s shooting ability, he is also able to run the wing and spot up behind the arc for a jumper. Defenders will need to worry about this threat, often choosing to defend him and leaving more space for ballhandlers to get to the basket.

Intangibles/Summary

Hunter was a highly regarded prospect coming out of high school, but chose to play for his father at Georgia State, and was instrumental in a couple of postseason appearances, including the NCAA Tournament this past season, where they upset Baylor in the Round of 64. Hunter was a two-time Sun Belt Player of the Year, as well as Honorable Mention All-American twice. He has built his reputation as one of the top scorers in college basketball, averaging over 17 points per game in all three of his seasons, but his offensive game has become very well-rounded. Hunter is a very good long-range shooter, with a very quick release and NBA three-point range. Playing in the Sun Belt, he was often subject to double-teams, even behind the arc, and though he forced a lot of shots, he also learned to become more of a threat off the dribble, especially as a pick-and-roll ballhandler able to hit the mid-range jumper, get to the basket, or hit an open teammate. He doesn’t have great speed, but he is a good athlete, and he needs to get much stronger for the next level. Hunter does a very good job getting the free throw line, where he is a near 90 percent shooter, and he finds ways to draw contact anywhere on the floor. He sees the floor very well, has a great understanding of spacing, and can be creative off the dribble as a scorer or distributor. Hunter knows he draws defenders and instinctively knows where he can find an open teammate. Defensively, Hunter isn’t a great on-ball defender, and Georgia State’s zone helped him hide some of his footwork issues, but he has great instincts off the ball, and the length to be disruptive as a help defender or playing passing lanes off the ball.

Draft Value: Mid to Late 1^st Round – #17-25

Hunter has the skills and understanding of the game to be a rotation player fairly quick in the NBA, though he will need to put work in developing physically and learning to play NBA-quality defense. He has the shooting ability to contribute as a role player, though long-term his ability to create off the dribble can see him taking on a bigger role, depending on his team and their system. His shooting numbers may not look pretty, but he can thrive as a non-primary scoring option. Hunter is one of the players I have the most confidence in to succeed long-term from this draft.

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