Nothin' But Nets
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Five potential Long Island Nets who could get called up

By Charles Daye

Sep 26, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Beau Beech (9) poses for a portrait during media day at HSS Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Beau Beech (9) poses for a portrait during media day at HSS Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Nicole Sweet-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard R.J. Hunter (28) shoots for three points against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jarell Martin (10) in the second half at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated Memphis 116-96. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard R.J. Hunter (28) shoots for three points against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jarell Martin (10) in the second half at TD Garden. The Celtics defeated Memphis 116-96. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

R.J. Hunter

R.J. Hunter is arguably the most well-known player on the Long Island Nets. Hunter gained national attention during his college career at Georgia State, mostly due to Hunter breaking almost every school record.

Hunter averaged 18.4 points (42.6 percent shooting), 4.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.9 steals in 34.6 minutes over 98 games at Georgia State. He is the all-time leader in points, free throws made and three-pointers made. He also holds the University’s single season records for points, free throws made and three-pointers made.

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Hunter was selected 28th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics. However, his rookie season with Boston was very forgettable and filled with D-League assignments. In 36 games for the Celtics, he averaged 2.7 points and one rebound in 8.8 minutes per game.

Hunter was waived by Boston and signed with the Chicago Bulls before being waived again after multiple D-League assignments and only three games with Chicago. The Long Island Nets acquired his talents in January 2017.

Since joining the Long Island Nets, Hunter has averaged 18.2 points (38.8 percent shooting), 3.3 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 30.9 minutes over 29 games (18 starts). Known for his shooting, especially from beyond the arc, Hunter is an ideal prospect for the Nets and Atkinson’s system.

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Hunter averaged 32.1 percent from deep for Long Island, which is close to what he averaged at Georgia State. Over his three college seasons, he averaged 36.5 percent his freshman year, 39.5 percent his sophomore year and 30.5 percent his junior year. Though his junior year produced his lowest three-point percentage, he averaged a career-high 19.7 points per game and broke his single season points record.

Similar to his teammate Alexander, Hunter is pretty much guaranteed a spot on the Summer League team. If he can translate his D-League productivity to Brooklyn, his ceiling could be that of a sixth man role, if not starting shooting guard.

Boston saw enough talent and potential to warrant a first selection, and at only 23 years old, it is surprising to see two teams in need of scoring give up on Hunter before giving him a chance.