Virginia basketball star De’Andre Hunter confirmed on Twitter on Friday that he will be returning to school for his redshirt sophomore season.
After much consideration, I have decided to return to school and not enter my name in the 2018 draft.
— Dre (@Dr_Dre14) April 20, 2018
Hunter, a 6’7” guard-forward, was the ACC Sixth Man of the Year in 2018, averaging 9.2 points per game, shooting 48.8 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from three-point range.
Hunter broke his left wrist in the ACC Tournament semifinals, played and scored 10 points in UVA’s championship game win over North Carolina the next night, then was ruled out for the NCAA Tournament after it was determined that he would need surgery to repair the injury.
The recovery time for the injury was projected at 10-12 weeks, which would have impacted Hunter’s ability to perform for NBA talent evaluators in advance of the June draft.
Hunter’s return buoys the ‘Hoos heading into 2018-2019, as he will be expected to join the starting rotation along with Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome and Jack Salt.
The question now that Hunter has confirmed his plans to return is where he will get his minutes. As a redshirt freshman this year, Hunter got the bulk of his time on the court at the four, but he can play in the backcourt as well, and his flexibility will be key for the rotation as coach Tony Bennett and his staff work to account for the losses of starters Isaiah Wilkins and Devon Hall to graduation.
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Chris Graham
