Tyrese Hunter
Frame: 6’0” 178 lbs
Position: Guard
Team: Texas Longhorns
2024 Draft Age: 20
Stats via www.basketball-reference.com

Offense

The first thing one notices about Hunter is his slight frame. Though the guard is small in stature, he has elite-level quickness on and off the ball and is an overall solid athlete who can break down defenses. His bounciness also jumps out at you for a player of his size.

Hunter is very shifty with the ball and has that blow-by ability and speed you love to see offensively. Once he gets by his defender, Hunter can also play above the rim due to his hops or finish strong with either hand. He has the basketball IQ to score well off the ball as well, weaving around picks and staying in motion.

While Hunter can make tough shots around the rim, his three-point shot is also improving. For his growth to continue, he must display greater consistency on his jumper. Hunter is an on-court leader in the truest sense, though, taking over when needed or having the ability and vision to include his teammates. This year, he has taken more of a role offensively rather than distributing, though.

His first, second, and third love on the court is offense. Hunter sometimes gets lost in the flow of the game as he narrows his focus to just his offensive game, which can also affect his shot selection. He needs to reduce playing with tunnel vision on offense, which should help clean up unnecessary turnovers.

Defense

Despite lacking height, Hunter is a very reliable defender when engaged. He’s that pesky type of player who gets into passing and driving lanes and disrupts the offensive player effectively. Hunter has a high IQ in reading defenses and can create several steal opportunities and deflections. The downside is his commitment level on defense as he prefers to expend all of his energy on offensive possessions.

Hunter can frustrate teammates and coaches for his lack of defensive focus, as he does have the physical tools to be successful. Hunter’s engagement needs to be consistent, or he will be yet another electric scorer who can’t find a stable role on a team beyond college.

Looking Ahead

Hunter needs to show evaluators a greater focus on the defensive end. He can score with the best of prospects but ultimately needs to realize if he’s to have any success at the next level, he will be part of a larger system. Playing properly within that system and committing to more than just offense will help him see time on the floor. His offensive skills and ability can only carry him so far.

At the moment, Hunter projects to be a late second-round pick or undrafted free agent with the hope of getting an Exhibit 10 or two-way contract. His improving three-point stroke is promising, but he must compete defensively to see the court and find something sustainable. The former four-star prospect has shown he is an offensive dynamo who requires attention all over the court. Unlocking his full defensive potential is up to him and his development.