Here is a report from CBS Sportsline about the 1st day of the Chicago camp. http://cbs.sportsline.com/b/page/pressbox/0,1328,3975044,00.html CHICAGO -- For Stephen Hunter this was a day he had been waiting a long time for. He had a good, but hardly great sophomore season at DePaul, never really meeting his immense potential in an offense that didn't feature him. Then all spring he heard the reports from Portsmouth and Phoenix and kind of wished underclassmen were able to play. But Wednesday, in his hometown of Chicago, the 7-foot 19-year-old had his time to excel, sprinting up and down the court, swatting shots and converting inside. In the morning drill sessions he impressed scouts with his touch and athleticism. In the evening scrimmage, he was just plain good. "It felt great," said Hunter at the end of the day. "It was something that was just fun. I expected to play well because I have a lot of confidence in myself, but I'm itching to get this thing going. This is something I've been waiting for." And so it came, right there in front of all the NBA teams at the league's pre-draft camp held in the Moody Bible Institute, Hunter scoring 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting. He snagged five rebounds and blocked four shots. In 19 minutes, he outplayed, in a head-to-head matchup, Ohio State big man Ken Johnson, who had just 9 points on 3-of-8 shooting. Coming into the camp it was Johnson who had a higher draft profile. By the end of the day Hunter was the talk of the small gym. "He's running the court well, making an impact at both ends, showing great touch," said one Central Division scout. "We had him down as a player to watch, but you'd be blind if you missed him. Today was the best that I had seen him. He was just an impact player out there." In a draft that is full of unproven high school big men, Hunter wants to use this week to prove he is the best gamble, that he understands what it takes to play in the league now. "I just want to play hard," said the Maywood, Ill., prospect. "When I got open shots I just took them. I had a lot of energy tonight. I just want to stay active out there." Hunter was a hard-to-figure case during his two seasons at DePaul. He had obvious ability and potential, but never seemed to take the games as seriously as he should have. He says he loved his time at the school, but thinks the offensive system wasn't best suited for displaying his talents. He averaged 11.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game last season. He did shoot a Conference USA-best 59.4 percent from the floor. "I just didn't have the opportunity at DePaul," he said. "It was somewhat the system. All in all DePaul was all positive though. I've just improved too." Indeed, this is not the Hunter of last winter. He is clearly taking this tryout seriously. He arrived at the camp still very thin (220 pounds) but with new definition in his arms and shoulders. He says he spent most of the spring working on his game and lifting weights here in Chicago. It helped not just his game, but also his confidence. "I just feel real good right now," said Hunter. Hunter expects to be a first-round selection and is aiming to sneak into the lottery. Last year Michigan guard Jamal Crawford arrived at this camp an uncertain prospect coming off an up-and-down freshman season. His deft 3-point shooting and inspired play in game action propelled him into the top 10, where the guaranteed money is serious. He's an inspiration for this year's crop of players. Hunter just wants to leave a simple impression in scouts' minds. He's serious about being good and isn't the player who often drifted through games without making an impact at DePaul. "I think the best thing I can do is just to have (scouts) see me play hard," he said. "Just do the things I can do. I've shown what I can do at DePaul, but I'm bringing it up now." Not a moment too soon. But, then again, a moment he had been waiting for a while. "And this is the first of many more," he promised. Sorry if it has already been posted. Anyway, Hunter is 7'1" and 19 years old. Note he was going against Ken Johnson. With more good days at the camp, he could either be someone Rocks are interested in or push someone else down to Rocks spot. ------------------
If we decide to keep all 3 picks, and with the way this draft seems absolutely loaded with potential, our odds seem to be getting better of snagging a sleeper. ------------------ "Light travels faster than sound, so some people appear to be bright until you hear them speak." -- Brian Williams (now Bison Dele) commenting on Isiah Thomas.
According to Katz, this guy outplayed Ken Johnson today at the camp. ------------------ girl you looks good won't you mock that draft up?!
13-Joe Johnson 18- Steve Hunter?????? 23- G. Wallace Hey it could happen. ------------------ President of the Steve Francis, Jamal Crawford,Larry Hughes, and Charles Woodson fan club.
If Joe Johnson is available at #13, I will do a happy dance of joy (that is also assuming the Rockets take him). ------------------ CC.NET Sim League Web Page My Team (Sonics) Runnin', Ravin', Endin', Out.
Me too, but the chances of that are slim and none. If somehow the Rockets can swindle Detroit out of the 9th pick, they'd have a good chance of picking him up. ------------------
Hunter keeps climbing the draft ladder June 7, 2001 BY ROMAN MODROWSKI STAFF REPORTER Fearlessness is a quality Michael Jordan respects in competitors, so he has to admire the courage of Steven Hunter to take a somewhat skeptical stand in regard to Jordan's potential comeback. Hunter has declared himself eligible for the NBA draft after two nondescript seasons at DePaul, and the 7-foot center has been impressive during this week's pre-draft camp at the Moody Bible Institute. Hunter, 19, might be working his way into becoming a lottery pick. Hunter also is qualified to comment on Jordan's possible comeback because as a client of Jordan's trainer, Tim Grover, he has been able to play with the former Bulls star. While Hunter has nothing but respect for Jordan, he said a comeback may not be the best thing. "His desire is there," Hunter said. "If he wants, he could come back, but I don't see any reason why he should. He's proven everything. He should let the young guys have the league. Because he can come back and take it, but that's really slowing the process." Asked about Jordan's game, Hunter said it's no different than what he saw during Jordan's six title runs with the Bulls. "He's been great," Hunter said. "He's the same Mike, hasn't lost a step. He's a great competitor, so he'll make you play hard and play the way you're supposed to. When you're on the court with Mike and playing against him, you have to play that much harder because he can take over the game." Apparently, Hunter also has made an impression on Jordan. The Washington Wizards own the No. 1 pick in the June 27 draft, but Jordan--in his role as the team's president of basketball operations--might be looking to trade down for a veteran. Hunter was not planning on a private workout with the Wizards because they pick first, but a league source said when Jordan heard that, he made sure Hunter scheduled a workout with his team. "When Steven started with me, he was 205 [pounds]," Grover said. "Now he's 225, and he's an unbelievable athlete. He's a lot better than people think he is. He has very long arms, and for somebody so wiry, he's extremely strong." Hunter isn't the only one who has improved his conditioning. Jordan said he is shedding the pounds as he evaluates whether he can reach a high enough playing level to return. "I'm moving down in size," Jordan said. "Suits are fitting a lot better." Bobby Simmons, a DePaul teammate and roommate of Hunter's, also has competed against Jordan. Simmons just smiled when asked about the level of Jordan's game. "Everything looks the same to me," Simmons said. "His intensity is at the highest level all the time. "It's a little awe-inspiring because I get to match my skills to where his are." This kid may be the real deal. Could be just as talented as Woods. ------------------
Man, I'm really starting to like this kid. I also heard somewhere he outplayed Tyson Chandler (not a surprise) in a workout. I would be happy if the rockets grabbed him. Take maybe R. Jefferson at 13, Hunter at 18, and Morris at 23. Let the two duke it out for starting sf spot, and have Hunter backup whoever starts at center. ------------------ Greatness is not a singular act, it is a habit. You are what you repeatedly do.
