When it comes the the 2015 NBA Draft the likely top picks will be Jahlil Okafor and Emmamuel Mudiay. However, there is one name fans should keep a close eye on in Georgia State Panthers shooting guard R.J. Hunter.
At 6’5 and 185 pounds, Hunter doesn’t get near the amount of attention he deserves playing at Georgia State. However, scouts are taking notice of Hunter’s pro-level game.
This season, Hunter is proving he can be an offensive dynamo at the next level, as his 23.3 scoring average rank him in the top five of points per game. In addition to his high scoring numbers, Hunter also excels on defense, where he averages 2.5 steals per contest.
However, it is worth noting that Georgia State plays a zone defense, so it is not yet known how Hunter will succeed in man-to-man situations. Last year’s Georgia State team was able to reach the finals of the Sun Belt Conference Championships where they lost to Louisiana-Lafayette.
The team was simply overmatched by Lafayette guard Elfrid Payton, whom is now playing for the Orlando Magic. This season, Georgia State is the favorite to win the Sun Belt and Hunter is unquestionably the conference’s most talented player.
If he can lead his team to the NCAA Tournament he might catapult himself into the top-10 of the 2015 NBA draft. Scouts are still weary on his defense and fear he may not become a true two-way player in the NBA.
However, there is no question has the offensive chops of an NBA player. While his foul shooting and three-point percentages might need work, he can get the ball in the basket, and that will certainly earn him a spot on an NBA roster.