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It was a shot and a moment R.J. Hunter will remember for the rest of his life.
Seconds left on the clock, metaphorical miles behind the three-point line, Hunter let up a shot that barely even hit the rim as it flew through the net, giving Georgia State an upset victory over No. 3 Baylor in one of the best and most emotional moments of the NCAA Tournament this March.
Hunter will never forget that moment. He’ll never forget the feel of the ball leaving his hand or seeing his dad and coach, Ron, react to the victory by, quite literally, falling out of his chair. But now, Hunter is hoping to be more than just another highlight in “One Shining Moment.” He wants to be an NBA player.
Here’s what you need to know about Hunter and his hopes to keep the Cinderella dream alive in Brooklyn this weekend:
1. He’s Best Known For His 3-Pointer to Defeat Baylor in the NCAA Tournament
Hunter told reporters after his game-winning shot that he and his dad, his coach, used to spend their afternoons working out in the backyard when he was a kid. He was Reggie Miller and his dad was the countdown clock, signaling the end of the game. Hunter’s shot against Baylor was something like that.
Ron Hunter discussed the moment to the Indy Star:
He’s always dreamed about making that last shot. I knew he was going to make it. That’s backyard stuff with pops right there. For me to do that on a big stage is definitely a blessing. I was numb, but I knew it was money as soon as I let it go.
The shot was a long-time coming for Hunter. He’d practiced the moment from the time he was a kid and, after a less-than-dominant first half that saw him miss seven of his first eight shots, he had to make something happen. Hunter scored nine straight points in the final two and a half minutes before lifting Georgia State to the biggest upset of the 2015 postseason.
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2. Hunter Has Worked on His Ball-Handling & Defense Ahead of the Draft
Hunter’s draft stock is based on his shot – not necessarily the shot – but on his talent as a pure shooter. NBADraft.net has him listed as one of the releases in the entire class this year and he’s already drawn comparisons to Marco Belinelli and JJ Reddick.
But while Hunter’s strengths may rest in his ability to, consistently, put the ball in the hoop, he’s well aware that he has to bring more to the table and the court. So, he’s worked and worked and practiced and run drills. He’s lost track of the number of hours he has spent in a gym.
Hunter told the Washington Times that he’s focused his pre-draft workouts on expanding his game and rounding out his skill set, adding that some teams have actually been surprised by his talent as a passer.
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3. He’s Trying to be More Than Just the Coach’s Son
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Although Hunter’s star skyrocketed after his shot against Baylor, the 6-foot-6 guard has always been on the back burner of potential NBA prospects. In fact, according to SportingNews, he was considered a first rounder with low lottery potential after a sophomore season that saw him average 18.3 points and shoot 39.5 percent from distance.
Still, Hunter is trying to shake the shadow of the shot and his reputation as the coach’s son. The media blitz that surrounded him after the Tournament run was, honestly, exhausting. Hunter told Desert News:
I could score 88 points in a Georgia State game and there would still be four media guys there. To get a taste of it during the NCAA tournament was nuts. You kind of go there before practice and it’s filled up, and kids like that never see that. (After the shot), they liked me all of the sudden. … Everyone became real cool out of nowhere. That was an adjustment, too, trying to adjust to that lifestyle.
Hunter worked hard throughout his pre-draft schedule to make sure that teams understood he was more than just a shot and a moment. He worked out for the Utah Jazz, the Charlotte Hornets and was one of six players invited to the Washington Wizard’s final pre-draft session.
4. Hunter’s Godfather is Former NBA Player Ron Harper
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Hunter has grown up around basketball and that connection to the sport even extends to his extended family, including his godfather.
Ron Harper played college basketball, with Hunter’s father Ron, at Miami of Ohio before turning pro and logging a 15-year NBA career. He competed with the Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Clippers, Chicago Bulls and L.A. Lakers. He averaged 13.8 points per game and was listed both as a shooting guard and a point guard during his career.
5. He Grew up in Indianapolis While His Father Coached at IUPUI
The road to the NBA began a long time ago for Hunter, who grew up in Indianapolis while his father was coaching at IUPUI, with one older sister, Jasmine.
Hunter’s basketball career truly began in high school, playing at Pike High School and garnering offers from Big Ten and AAC schools. During his senior season he averaged 20.5 points, 6.6 assists and 2.9 steals per game. Over the course of his career he was part of three sectional title teams, one regional championship and one semi-state championship. But while Hunter enjoyed the looks from big-time programs and names, he couldn’t quite shake the idea of playing college hoops for his dad.
He officially committed to Georgia State, and to his dad, in 2012.
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R.J. Hunter: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know