Atlanta Hawks: 13 Players Hawks Could Select in 2019 NBA Draft

#3 — De’Andre Hunter, Sophomore, Virginia

To some, this might be a rather unorthodox choice. However, De’Andre Hunter is the best player on a Virginia team that has gone from the biggest punchline in NCAA history (by losing to a 16-seed last year) to the precipice of the program’s first NCAA Championship by making its first Final Four.

The reason why Virginia has made it this far? While the “team of destiny” moniker might apply, the real reason is likely that Hunter returned to the team and has been healthy for the entirety of this season.

Though his play in the tournament has been up-and-down, he was responsible for a couple huge plays down the stretch of overtime against the Purdue Boilermakers in what was one of the greatest NCAA Tournament games of all time in the Elite Eight.

Hunter is a brilliant on-ball defender whose size and length give most wings and guards fits. As a knockdown three-point shooter (40.9 percent in his career, 42.4 percent this season), Hunter would be a perfect fit in an Atlanta Hawks system that just produced 1000 made three-pointers – one of only 8 teams to do that in NBA history.

With a wingspan longer than Culver’s, Hunter should be able to alter shots with ease around the rim, and his help defense has been a boon for the Virginia Cavaliers all season.

Again, the Hawks should prioritize defense and shooting in this year’s draft, and with the selection of Hunter, they would be ameliorating both needs at once.