#7. De’Andre Hunter
Starting off the list is rookie De’Andre Hunter. In his redshirt sophomore season with the University of Virginia Cavaliers, he helped his team pull off one of the most incredible comeback stories in college sports history.
After Virginia lost as the #1 overall seed in the 2018 NCAA Tournament (without Hunter, who was injured), the team stormed back with a vengeance in 2019, lifting the championship trophy after some incredible comebacks during the tournament proper.
Throughout it all, Hunter was at his steady and effective best.
As the clear-cut best player on his team throughout the regular season and during March Madness, Hunter took home a slew of postseason awards after his sophomore year, including winning the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, being named to the All-ACC team as well as the All-Tournament team.
All those plaudits were well-earned, as Hunter’s defensive prowess helped keep Tony Bennett’s pack line defense stout against all comers.
With all that collegiate success behind him, Hunter still comes in as one of the highest draft picks (#4 overall) the Atlanta Hawks have had since Al Horford was drafted #3 overall in 2007.
Though Hunter surely will have the weight of an upper-echelon draft pick on his shoulders in his rookie year, expect the 21-year-old to come in and immediately impact winning basketball in his rookie season – making him one of the best players on the Atlanta Hawks heading into next season.