Scouting Report: R.J. Hunter, SG, Georgia State
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A jump shot so clutch it can knock an injured father off his chair.
That's the moment that will stand out as NBA teams try to make sense of R.J. Hunter's prolific shot-making and his unsightly shooting percentages, looking to separate skill from team context.
Hunter has spent the last three seasons proving he can score under increasing defensive attention at Georgia State, but it remains unclear how big a red flag his appreciable dip in efficiency, against relatively weak competition, should be, and whether he can shoot his way through it at pre-draft workouts.
Relevant Background
| Position | DraftExpress Rank | ESPN Rank | Height w/ Shoes | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SG | 26 | 21 | 6' 6" | 185 |
| Wingspan | Standing Reach | Max Vertical (in.) | Hand Length (in.) | Body Fat % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6' 10.5" | 8' 8" | 33.5 | 8.5 | 6.0% |
| NCAA Stats | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% | 3FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 19.7 | 4.7 | 3.6 | 39.5% | 30.5% |
| 2013-14 | 18.3 | 4.6 | 1.7 | 44.4% | 39.5% |
| 2012-13 | 17.0 | 5.1 | 1.8 | 43.9% | 36.5% |
Scouting Report
Strengths: Hunter can get his shot off, and Hunter can score. There's little doubt about that given his numbers with the Panthers, for whom he often had to take high degree-of-difficulty shots with defenders hounding him. The fact that he improved so much as a playmaker in his junior season is a good sign, and his 3-point volume and free-throw shooting - better predictors of long-range NBA success than 3-point percentage alone - portend a potentially dangerous shooter. Factor in that he has great length and lateral quickness, was a ball-hound on defense in college, and is said to have interviewed incredibly well, and the case for Hunter being a useful bench scorer is clear.
Weaknesses: So why is he outside of the lottery? The percentages. Even with the extra defensive attention, shooting 39.5 percent and 30.5 percent on threes in the Sun Belt Conference isn't a great look. He can definitely shoot, though, and it's the other areas of his game drawing questions. He's not particularly strong or athletic, which hurts his ability to score inside the 3-point line and, more notably, his potential on the defensive end. Georgia State played a zone defense that let Hunter gamble, and he'll need to prove in group sessions that he can defend NBA-caliber wings.
Highlight Reel
What to Expect on Draft Day
Shooting is always at a premium. When that shooting comes with a decent handle and developed playmaking instincts, all the better. Hunter may be hurt some by a lack of ultimate upside - he's probably not Steph Curry or Klay Thompson (and who is?) - but in a draft thin on shooting guards, he'll be on the radar just outside the lottery. He'll have a wide draft range and could fit with just about any team picking in the 20s.