Sophomore guard De’Andre Hunter declared Monday that he is headed for the NBA draft, foregoing two years of eligibility in college basketball.
“Playing [in the] NBA was always a lifelong dream,” Hunter wrote in an Instagram post announcing his decision. “That being said I would like to announce that I will be entering the NBA draft and signing an agent.”
Hunter, who redshirted his first year at Virginia, entered the season projected as a lottery pick and proved himself throughout the season as a versatile player with elite athleticism. This season, he averaged 15.2 points per game and 5.1 rebounds a game, and he shot 52 percent from the field, including 43.8 percent from three-point range. Hunter also stepped up big in the NCAA Tournament Championship game, when he had a career-high 27 points against Texas Tech.
He has racked up awards this season, including being named the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament MVP, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, a First Team All-ACC selection, the NABC Defensive Player of the Year, a Final Four All-Tournament team selection and an Associated Press All-America Third Team selection.
“Being at the University of Virginia has been an amazing experience,” Hunter wrote. “From being a redshirt to winning a national championship, the journey has been unbelievable.”
Hunter will join teammate junior guard Ty Jerome in the draft, who declared earlier today. The NBA Draft will take place June 20.