Hoosier State of Mind
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Indiana Basketball: Jerome Hunter’s path to the NBA

By Trevor Gersmehl

BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 25: Jerome Hunter #21 of the Indiana Hoosiers brings the ball up court during the game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Assembly Hall on November 25, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 25: Jerome Hunter #21 of the Indiana Hoosiers brings the ball up court during the game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Assembly Hall on November 25, 2019 in Bloomington, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MARCH 04: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots over Malcolm Brogdon #7 of the Indiana Pacers during the first half of a game at Fiserv Forum on March 04, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MARCH 04: Khris Middleton #22 of the Milwaukee Bucks shoots over Malcolm Brogdon #7 of the Indiana Pacers during the first half of a game at Fiserv Forum on March 04, 2020 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

NBA Comparison: Khris Middleton

Milwaukee Bucks All-Star Khris Middleton is who Jerome Hunter should strive to be. They are both exactly 6’7”, 220 lbs, and have very similar skill sets (granted, from what Hunter showed us in high school).

Middleton isn’t a nifty ball handler but can get from point A to point B enough to get his own shot on occasion. He will often hunt a high post matchup and use his size and smooth stroke to hit a textbook fadeaway jumper. We didn’t see it much last season, but Hunter can do the same thing.

Middleton also excels from the three-point line, shooting 42% from beyond the arc at a high volume of nearly six per game. Hunter has the stroke to do something similar at the college level. The Bucks’ small forward is also a very good defender due to his length and instincts. Hunter possesses similar length and a good IQ to go along with it.

The comparisons don’t just end there though. Middleton’s NBA career has featured some serious injuries, but when healthy, he’s proven he’s an All-Star. He was also drafted in the second round at number 39 after averaging just 11.3 points and 4.6 rebounds on 32% three-point shooting over the course of his three-year college career at Texas A&M.

In my mind, Middleton’s route to stardom is the blueprint for Hunter. Now I’m not saying Hunter will end up being an NBA All-Star and 20+ points per game scorer, but there is room for him in the NBA.

Picture-Perfect Scenario

Jerome Hunter is thrust into the starting lineup as a sophomore, and by the end of the year, he has his feet under him. He averaged 7.5 points and 4 rebounds per game all while slowly increasing his three-point percentage. He begins to get accustomed to defense as well, albeit with plenty of room left to grow.

Hunter increases this trajectory throughout the next two seasons. He becomes a beloved player in Bloomington and ends up being one of the best wings to play for the Hoosiers in the last 20 years. As a senior, he averages 16 points and six rebounds per game and blossoms into a great defensive player. He heads to the NBA, where he is drafted in the second round due to his age.

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From then on, Hunter slowly carves a role for himself in the NBA. He ends up being a reliable three-point shooter and defender who can fit in on nearly any NBA team. He plays a long career as a journeyman with plenty of success along the way.

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