Former Ohio basketball power forward Brandon Hunter is expected to be taken in tonight’s NBA draft. The 6-foot-8-inch, 260-pound Hunter, who this past season led the nation in rebounding with an average of 12.6 points per game, is projected to be a mid-to-late second-round pick.
Ohio coach Tim O’Shea said he thought Hunter would be taken somewhere in the mid-30s to early-40s, which is about halfway through the second round. Many teams were impressed with his strength in the Chicago pre-draft camps.
"Brandon worked with eight or nine teams this summer," O'Shea said. "That's always a good sign because if teams are paying to bring you in then they really want to see what you've got."
Hunter was initially thought to be a late first-round or early second-round pick, but questions about his mid-range jump shot and poor free-throw shooting record have concerned many scouts. He maintained his stock somewhat when he placed third in the overall strength competition at the pre-draft in Chicago. Hunter led the Bobcats in minutes played, field-goal percentage, blocked shots, rebounds, and scoring last year.
O'Shea said he thought regardless of where Hunter is taken, he will find a solid home in the NBA.
"A lot of people think that Brandon is a (San Antonio Spurs power forward) Malik Rose-type player," O'Shea said. "He's undersized, but he has that power to just take over underneath the basket."
O'Shea also said he hoped Hunter could fit in with the right team in the draft.
"Brandon will be all right because he's such a strong player," O'Shea said. "But the most important thing for most guys coming out of college is where they fit in with their new team. Hopefully, he catches on somewhere where they have open (contract) spots for him and he can get into the system right away."
The NBA amateur draft, which takes place in New York, will begin at 8 p.m.
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Mike Cottrill
