De’Andre Hunter‘s absence was a contributing factor in Virginia’s stunning tournament loss to UMBC over a year ago. As a sophomore, Hunter helped lead the Cavaliers to a title. He has been firmly in the top-10 for most of the season.
At 6-foot-7, Hunter is a tad small for a natural power forward. Even so, his defensive versatility is something NBA teams will value — and it’s what puts him so far up this draft board. Not only does he possess the strength to combat larger post threats, but he’s a mobile on-ball defender who can stick with guards on the perimeter. He has the upside to legitimately switch 1-5 in the right matchup.
He’s also an efficient complementary piece on offense, shooting spot-up jumpers at a high clip and offering value as a face-up scorer. He doesn’t have a dynamic handle and isn’t known for his passing, but Hunter should provide an immediate boost as a versatile four-man in the NBA.