PF Othello Hunter (official thread)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Link

Draft projection that has Othello being selected with the #54 pick.

[gefootball10]

Originally Posted by OSUBasketballJunkie

Link

Draft projection that has Othello being selected with the #54 pick.

im seeing pick #52 to Portland on that link..to team up with GREG

[Buckskin86]

Othello is participating in the NBA pre-draft camp starting tomorrow..

DraftExpress: 2008 NBA Pre-Draft Camp Rosters and Physical Only Invites

[Buckskin86]

Ohio State's Othello Hunter had 13 on 6-for-7 shooting for Team 5

The Canadian Press: Former NBA guard Kenny Anderson wants back in the game - as a coach

Othello Hunter somehow found a way to have the dunk of the game despite DeVon Hardin's assault on the rims. Hunter's reverse ally oop finish was the highlight of this game and maybe the most athletic play of the day. He was a highly effective 6-7 from the floor and finished with 13 points.

NBADraft.net | 2008 NBA Predraft Camp: Day Two

[Buckskin86]

Possibly the player that helped himself the most in the first game was Ohio State?s Othello Hunter. He went 6 for 7 from the field in 20 minutes?knocking down a mid-range jumper, showing slightly more skill in the paint than we?d seen in the past, and using his extremely impressive length and athleticism to run the floor and make his presence felt inside the paint. On the negative side, he only grabbed one rebound and had four fouls?a clear product of his lack of strength. Although he?s undersized at 6-8 (but with a pterodactyl wingspan to compensate) and not all that skilled in general, we need to keep in mind that he?s only 21 years old and has only been playing basketball for about six years?and thus still has upside to continue to improve. We?ll see how he does over the next few days.

DraftExpress: NBA Pre-Draft Camp, Day Two

[LitlBuck]

Props to Othello. He did us proud while at Ohio State and while he might not make it to the NBA next year I think after some grooming he will become a good backup player for some NBA team.

[Buckskin86]

Josh Duncan (13 pts, 4 reb, 1 stl) and Othello Hunter (11 pts, 14 reb, 1 blk) could be selected, but both are more likely to go the European route. Hunter should be an NBA player down the line. Hunter scored with his typical blend of size, athleticism, and inside touch, while Duncan showed some nice perimeter skills for a power forward

HoopsHype - Articles - Big guns show up

[Buckskin86]

Orlando Recap: First Team All-NBA Pre-Draft

by: Jonathan Givony - President, Matt Kamalsky, Mike Schmidt - D-League, NCAA Scout, Joseph Treutlein - Assistant Director of Scouting
June 3, 2008

Gary Forbes, Mike Taylor, Malik Hairston, Othello Hunter and Brian Roberts highlight our First Team All-NBA Pre-Draft Camp as we recap the week and it's significance on the draft stock of various players.

Othello Hunter, 6-9, PF, Senior, Ohio State
11.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 60% FG, 50% FT, 25 minutes

Joseph Treutlein

Othello Hunter has done everything he can to help his stock in this draft process, consistently playing well in all the games at both Portsmouth and Orlando. In addition to showing the things he?d already shown at the college level, he?s also displayed an improved mid-range jumper and looked a little better with his back to the basket. He hasn?t hurt himself in the measurements either, (6?8 ? in shoes at Portsmouth with a 7?2 ? wingspan) while also looking to be amongst the best here in Orlando in the vertical leap department by our naked eye.

Hunter showed a consistent motor and ability to impact the games with his length and athleticism. The first thing that stands out is his mid-range jumper, which actually improved for him as the season went on at Ohio State. Looking at video from the first few games of the year and the last few games of the year, some noticeable changes occurred with his shooting form. The most obvious change is more deliberate mechanics in general and more consistency holding his follow through. He also altered his mechanics themselves slightly, bringing the ball up over his forehead before the release. He doesn?t get much elevation off the ground, but his length compensates for that as release point is high. These changes have increased his effectiveness significantly on spot-up jumpers from the mid-range, which he?s shown at both camps and towards the end of the college season. He?s done a good job knocking down 15 footers when getting open off pick-and-pops or drive-and-dishes, while even showing flashes of college three-point range in the NIT Tournament Finals. His skill-level isn?t anything to write home about at this point, but it may give NBA teams some room for optimism regarding the future.

Hunter also has looked better in the post, showing slightly crisper execution and footwork along with better accuracy on his hook shot and turnaround jumper. He also seems more comfortable in the post in general, not really rushing much, and making better use of countermoves. A lack of strength and balance, along with still undeveloped footwork, definitely gives him problems at times, especially when establishing position, but he?s making improvements.

On the defensive end, Hunter benefited here by not being matched up with many powerful post players that could take advantage of his slight frame, something that has hurt him in the past. He also only blocked two shots on the week, but contested quite a few more. Hunter did really well on the boards, though, and actually was the 10th ranked offensive rebounder per 40 minutes pace adjusted in our database on the season.

Hunter?s performance here, along with his physical tools and the learning curve he?s shown over the past two years, has made a decent case for him as a late second round pick in the draft, despite his less than ideal size for a power forward. The fact that he?s only played competitive basketball for six years definitely helps his case, as does the way he came out here and distinguished himself from other players with similar stocks heading in, while also showing strides in some of his weaker areas. He still has to add a significant amount of weight to his frame to compete effectively in the NBA. While not a lock at all, Hunter should get some consideration late in the draft.

DraftExpress: Orlando Recap: First Team All-NBA Pre-Draft