De’Andre Hunter Bio
De’Andre James Hunter is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Listed at 6 feet 7 inches and 221 pounds, the Philadelphia native plays small forward and shooting guard and is widely recognized for his two-way skill set. After starring at the University of Virginia, where he helped lead the Cavaliers to the 2019 NCAA Championship, Hunter was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft.
Hunter has built his professional reputation on the defensive end of the floor, a quality that earned him the NABC Defensive Player of the Year award in college and translated into a starting role in the NBA. Across stints with the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Sacramento Kings, he has remained a versatile wing capable of guarding multiple positions while also providing outside shooting.
Early Life and Background
De’Andre James Hunter was born on December 2, 1997, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up in the Lawncrest neighborhood of the city, a community that helped shape his toughness and competitive drive. Coming from a basketball-rich region, Hunter was exposed to the sport at an early age and developed his fundamentals through local play and organized competition.
He attended Friends’ Central School in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, where he emerged as one of the top high school prospects in the country. As a junior, he averaged 21.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game and was named the Pennsylvania Class AA Player of the Year. In his senior season in 2016, he posted 23.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game, finishing as a four-star recruit ranked 72nd overall and 14th among small forwards in his class.
On September 12, 2015, Hunter committed to the University of Virginia, choosing the Cavaliers over scholarship offers from NC State and Notre Dame. His decision launched a college path that would quickly turn him into a national name.
Path to Basketball
Hunter’s progression to elite basketball began with a redshirt freshman year at Virginia, where he was eased into the rotation. He scored in double figures in 16 games, including 11 conference contests, and delivered a buzzer-beating three-pointer to defeat Louisville. After the season, he was named to the All-ACC All-Freshman Team and was honored as the ACC Sixth Man of the Year.
A broken wrist suffered during the 2018 ACC tournament forced him to miss the 2018 NCAA tournament, an absence Virginia felt deeply as the top-seeded Cavaliers lost to UMBC in the first round. Hunter used the setback as motivation, returning stronger in his sophomore year and averaging 15.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game.
That sophomore campaign culminated in the 2019 NCAA Championship, with Hunter scoring 27 points and grabbing 9 rebounds in the title game, including a game-tying three with 12.9 seconds left in regulation. Following the championship, he declared for the 2019 NBA draft and was selected fourth overall by the Los Angeles Lakers before being traded to the Atlanta Hawks on draft night.
De’Andre Hunter Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
Hunter signed with the Atlanta Hawks on July 7, 2019, and made his NBA debut on October 24, 2019, starting in a 117–100 win over the Detroit Pistons and finishing with 14 points and two rebounds. He quickly secured a place in the starting lineup, where his defense and outside shooting complemented a young Hawks core.
In January 2021, he scored a then-career-high 33 points against the Milwaukee Bucks. He was later named to the NBA Rising Stars roster after posting averages of 17.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game heading into the All-Star break. A torn meniscus in his right knee cut his second season short, requiring surgery and ending his year in June 2021.
Atlanta Hawks Breakthrough (2021–2025)
Hunter returned healthy for the 2021–22 season and elevated his play on both ends of the court. On April 26, 2022, he set a then-career-high with 35 points and 11 rebounds against the Miami Heat in a playoff game. His two-way consistency helped Atlanta remain a factor in the Eastern Conference.
On October 17, 2022, Hunter agreed to a four-year, $95 million contract extension with the Hawks, cementing his long-term role with the franchise. He continued to add to his offensive game, hitting a career-high six three-pointers in a 113–111 win over the Indiana Pacers on January 13, 2023. In January 2025, he matched his career high of 35 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Cleveland Cavaliers Era (2025–2026)
On February 6, 2025, Hunter was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in a deal that sent Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, and additional draft compensation to Atlanta. He appeared in 27 games for Cleveland, making five starts, and averaged 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists.
During the 2025–26 season, Hunter appeared in 43 games for the Cavaliers, including 23 starts, and averaged 14.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. On November 8, 2025, he went viral for a crossover and dunk sequence against the Chicago Bulls, finishing with 29 points in a 128–122 win.
Sacramento Kings (2026–Present)
On February 1, 2026, Hunter was traded to the Sacramento Kings in a three-team deal that also involved the Chicago Bulls. In his second game with Sacramento, he departed after being inadvertently poked in the left eye by Kobe Sanders and was later diagnosed with retinal detachment. On February 20, 2026, the team announced that he would require season-ending surgery to address the injury.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hunter is known as a strong, physical wing who excels at defending multiple positions and knocking down spot-up three-pointers. His length and foot speed allow him to guard bigger wings, while his offensive game has continued to expand as a shooter and secondary scorer.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments are his 27-point performance in the 2019 NCAA Championship game, his career-high 35-point games with the Hawks, and his viral crossover and dunk against the Chicago Bulls in 2025. His four-year, $95 million extension with Atlanta in 2022 marked one of the most significant financial milestones of his career.
De’Andre Hunter Career Wins
De’Andre Hunter’s career has produced a collection of championships and individual awards, beginning with college and continuing into the NBA. He helped Virginia capture the 2019 NCAA title and earned a series of conference and national honors that reflected his two-way impact.
NCAA Highlights
Hunter was a 2019 NCAA champion with the Virginia Cavaliers. He was named the NABC Defensive Player of the Year, a Second-team All-American by the NABC, and a Third-team All-American by the AP, USBWA, and SN. He also earned First-team All-ACC and ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2019.
Other Awards and Performances
In 2018, Hunter was named the ACC Sixth Man of the Year and was selected to the ACC All-Freshman Team. He has been recognized multiple times for his defense and shooting throughout his professional career with the Atlanta Hawks, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Sacramento Kings.
De’Andre Hunter Family
Family Background and Personal Life
De’Andre Hunter was raised in the Lawncrest neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Public details about his parents and siblings are limited, and he has generally kept his family life private.
Personal Life
Hunter has kept his personal life largely out of the public eye, with limited verified information about his relationships or children. His focus has remained on his professional basketball career since entering the NBA in 2019.
2025 Season Performance
Hunter’s 2024–25 NBA season was split between the Atlanta Hawks and the Cleveland Cavaliers after his February 2025 trade. With Atlanta, he continued to serve as a versatile wing before closing his Hawks tenure with strong scoring outputs, including a 35-point performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves in January 2025.
With Cleveland, he played 27 games and averaged 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists, providing the Cavaliers with reliable defense and outside shooting. His transition into the Cavaliers’ rotation was smooth, and he quickly established himself as a contributor on both ends of the floor.
Looking ahead, Hunter’s future outlook is shaped by his February 2026 trade to the Sacramento Kings and the season-ending eye injury he suffered shortly after the move. Once recovered, he is expected to remain a key two-way wing for the Kings as he continues his NBA career.