NBA Future Watch: De’Andre Hunter Basketball Cards, Atlanta Hawks – De’Andre Hunter helping the Atlanta Hawks to become a legitimate contender is not a surprise given his central role in Virginia’s 2019 NCAA Championship. But the progression that Hunter has made as a shooter was not considered a certainty when he turned pro. However, it holds the key to his potential for NBA stardom.
Best suited as a small forward, Hunter has played multiple positions in his life due to his versatility and athleticism. At the high school level in suburban Philadelphia, Hunter averaged over 20 points and 10 rebounds in his last two seasons. He earned four-star recruit status and a scholarship to Virginia – yet, with the depth on the team, he redshirted his first year.
Hunter’s initial season playing as a Cavalier was respectable, but did not foreshadow the progress yet to come. ACC Sixth Man of the Year and All-Freshman Team honors highlighted a season that would end bitterly: Hunter broke his wrist in the ACC Tournament. Without him, Virginia became the first #1 seed ever to lose to a #16 seed.
Entering the 2018-19 season with motivation the likes of which few highly ranked teams have ever had, the Cavs charged back to another #1 seed. Hunter, the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament MVP, led the way. Hunter’s clutch play was the difference for Virginia at key moments, including the game-winning layup in the Elite Eight win over Purdue and the game-tying three that sent the national championship game into overtime. Hunter finished that game with 27 points and nine rebounds, keying Virginia to its first ever national championship.
Hunter entered the 2019 NBA Draft and was selected fourth by Atlanta. Simultaneously prized for his all-around game and questioned in terms of his ceiling, Hunter has established tremendous consistency over three seasons in a Hawk uniform. At exactly 10.8 FGA every season, Hunter has never been more than a third or fourth option at best offensively, but his career-best .379 3% in 2021-22 led to 16.2 PPG on a Per-36 Minutes basis. A career FT% of .785 indicates the potential for further shooting improvement.
With the Hawks reaching the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021 and rebounding from a rocky, injury-riddled 2022 campaign to make the playoffs, Hunter prized ability as a “glue player” for talented teammates has been very apparent. Emerging as Atlanta’s leading scorer during their playoff run with 21.2 PPG behind .462 3% demonstrates what more can emerge. Hunter’s increased progress in shooting the ball, especially from distance, is what will mark him as one of the game’s most cherished all-around players.
NBA Future Watch: De’Andre Hunter Basketball Cards, Atlanta Hawks – Stats
NBA Future Watch: De’Andre Hunter Basketball Cards, Atlanta Hawks – More Resources
- Secondary Market Pricing
- Beckett Card Catalog
- NBA.com Player Profile
- De’Andre Hunter – Twitter
- De’Andre Hunter – Instagram
- 2021-22 Donruss NBA Basketball Cards
- Panini Immaculate NBA Basketball Cards
- Panini Chronicles NBA Basketball Cards
- Panini Hoops NBA Basketball Cards
NBA Future Watch: De’Andre Hunter Basketball Cards, Atlanta Hawks – Image Gallery
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