NBA PM: Will R.J. Hunter Be a Draft Steal?

Basketball Insiders talks with J.P. Tokoto at the 2015 NBA Draft Combine. He talks about his decision to enter the draft, his game and much more in this interview.

R.J. Hunter Hopes to Be a Draft Steal

The 2015 NBA Draft is just over a month away and profiles for the next wave of prospects have been thrust into the forefront. The guys at the top of the draft – prospects such as Karl-Anthony Towns, Jahlil Okafor and D’Angelo Russell – need no introduction. However, each year there are numerous individuals who enter the draft without much mainstream respect but ultimately develop into high quality NBA players as well.

Heading into this year’s draft, Georgia State guard R.J. Hunter could potentially become one of those late-first-round or early-second-round steals that is talked about when we look back in a few years to reflect on the 2015 rookie class.

Hunter received a lot of attention when he was able to lead 14-seeded Georgia State past 3-seeded Baylor during March Madness, hitting a buzzer-beating shot to win the game and scoring 36 points in the team’s two NCAA Tournament games. Now, entering the pre-draft process, Hunter must audition for NBA teams and try to prove he has what it takes to succeed at the highest level.

The latest mock drafts by Basketball Insiders‘ Alex Kennedy, Steve Kyler, Joel Brigham and Moke Hamilton have Hunter going between No. 17 and No. 28. Draft Express currently has Hunter projected at No. 24.

Take a look at some players selected No. 24 or later from 2005 to 2014 and you will see plenty of talented guys who had to wait a long time to hear their names called on draft night.

2005: David Lee (30), Monta Ellis (40), Lou Williams (45) and Marcin Gortat (57)

2006: Kyle Lowry (24)

2007: Arron Afflalo (27) and Marc Gasol (48)

2008: Serge Ibaka (24), Nic Batum (25), George Hill (26), Nikola Pekovic (31), Mario Chalmers (34) and DeAndre Jordan (35)

2009: Patrick Beverley (42) and Danny Green (46)

2010: Hassan Whiteside (33) and Lance Stephenson (40)

2011: Reggie Jackson (24), Norris Cole (28), Jimmy Butler (30), Chandler Parsons (38) and Isaiah Thomas (60)

2012: Draymond Green (35) and Khris Middleton (39)

2013: Rudy Gobert (27)

Hunter, a two-time Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year, is one of the oldest players expected to hear their name called in the first round of next month’s draft. The shooting guard believes his maturity and the pressure he’s had to deal with being a coach’s son have prepared him for the next level.

“Being a coach’s son and a captain alone is extra pressure,” Hunter said during the NBA Combine. “I had to learn how to react to coaching for me and my teammates. So I feel like I’m a good leader. I think I’m a proven leader. I’m a good teammate. Coach’s sons, you know, the perception is that we’re spoiled, don’t get along with our team and we stay off campus. But I was always with my team, always involved with my team and I’m ready to show that.”

Indiana Pacers guard George Hill, one of the hidden gems listed above, played under Hunter’s father, Ron, in college at IUPUI. The veteran NBA guard has served as a role model for the younger Hunter over the years and even now as he prepares for the beginning of his professional career.

“[George Hill has] been a mentor to me,” Hunter said. “I grew up watching him and a lot of things I did I compared to George. He’s had a wonderful career and he’s always been good at contacting me when I’ve had an accomplishment. We’ve kept in touch. But I know he’s busy. I’m busy. But he’s been good to me.”

Being selected at the tail end of the first round typically means a young player will be joining an established veteran team coming off a playoff appearance. The prospect of joining a veteran-laden team is both a gift and a curse. It’s a gift because the younger player will join an already built culture and structure and they’ll likely win much more than their peers. But the curse is that playing time can be scarce and there’s no amount of watching that can substitute for the experience gained from playing at the pro level.

One of the teams that could be in the mix for Hunter’s services are the Boston Celtics. The franchise holds the No. 16, 28, 33 and 45 overall picks in the draft and could potentially snag the guard with one of their earlier selections. Hunter is intrigued by the Celtics’ young core and impressed with head coach Brad Stevens.

“I love Boston,” Hunter said. “I love what Brad’s doing. He’s a young coach and I grew up watching him. I talked to him yesterday and I’m going to have a workout with them. I’m not sure [when] yet. But I like where they’re moving. They have young talent and know how to play. Kind of like a young [San Antonio] Spurs team in the making.”

Hunter actually has history with Stevens, since he played his high school ball in Indiana and was recruited by the head coach when he was leading Butler.

“He was the only Indiana school besides my Pops who recruited me, so I always have respect for Brad,” Hunter said.

As for a potential reunion with Hill at the pro level, Hunter hasn’t ruled it out, but he didn’t meet with Indiana at the Combine.

“I haven’t talked to the Pacers,” Hunter said. “I think they’ve seen me enough. They’ve come to a lot of my practices and a lot of my games. You can only get 14 interviews here [at the combine] so a lot of teams you would usually interview with, you’re not going to do that.”

Hunter averaged 19.7 points4.7 rebounds and 3.6 assists during his final season at Georgia State.