De’Andre James Hunter (born December 2, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 6-foot-7 small forward and shooting guard was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers before beginning his professional career with the Atlanta Hawks. Hunter played college basketball for the Virginia Cavaliers, where he earned national recognition as the NABC Defensive Player of the Year in 2019 while helping lead the program to an NCAA championship.
De’Andre Hunter Bio
De’Andre Hunter has established himself as a versatile two-way player in the NBA, combining defensive prowess with an improving offensive arsenal. Throughout his career, Hunter has demonstrated the ability to impact games on both ends of the floor while adapting to different team systems. His journey from Philadelphia high school standout to NBA starter reflects consistent development and resilience through adversity.
Early Life and Background
De’Andre Hunter grew up in Lawncrest, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended Friends’ Central School in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, where he emerged as one of the top high school players in the state. During his junior year, Hunter averaged 21.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 5.0 assists per game, earning Pennsylvania Class AA Player of the Year honors. As a senior in 2016, he continued his dominant play, averaging 23.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game.
HUNTER WAS RATED AS A FOUR-STAR RECRUIT AND RANKED AS THE 72ND OVERALL RECRUIT AND 14TH BEST SMALL FORWARD IN THE 2016 HIGH SCHOOL CLASS. On September 12, 2015, he committed to play college basketball at the University of Virginia, choosing the Cavaliers over offers from NC State and Notre Dame.
Path to Professional Basketball
Hunter redshirted his initial college season before becoming a key contributor for Virginia. During his redshirt freshman season, he scored double figures in 16 games, including 11 conference games. He delivered a memorable moment by hitting a buzzer-beating three-pointer to defeat Louisville. Hunter broke his wrist during the 2018 ACC Tournament, which prevented him from participating in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. Without their defensive stalwart, the top-seeded Cavaliers suffered a shocking first-round upset loss to UMBC.
Despite the injury setback, Hunter earned ACC All-Freshman Team honors and was named ACC Sixth Man of the Year. He announced his return to Virginia for the 2018-2019 season despite speculation about entering the 2018 NBA Draft. This decision proved pivotal as Hunter developed into one of the nation’s elite two-way players.
De’Andre Hunter Career
College Career (2017–2019)
In his freshman season, De’Andre Hunter posted 9.2 points and 5.1 rebounds per game while adapting to Virginia’s system. During his sophomore season, he elevated his production to 15.2 points per game and 5.1 rebounds per game. His improved scoring and defensive intensity helped Virginia earn another number one seed in the 2019 NCAA Tournament.
Hunter delivered a championship-clinching performance in the 2019 NCAA Championship game, scoring 27 points and grabbing 9 rebounds in an 85-77 victory over Texas Tech. He made a game-tying three-pointer with 12.9 seconds remaining in regulation to send the game to overtime. Following this championship run, Hunter declared for the 2019 NBA Draft, forgoing his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility.
Atlanta Hawks (2019–2025)
De’Andre Hunter was selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers. He was immediately traded to the New Orleans Pelicans as part of the Anthony Davis trade, then acquired by the Atlanta Hawks along with Solomon Hill in exchange for draft picks. On July 7, 2019, the Hawks officially signed Hunter. He made his NBA debut on October 24, 2019, starting in a 117-100 victory over the Detroit Pistons and finishing with 14 points and two rebounds.
Hunter continued developing as a starter during his second season. On January 24, 2021, he recorded a then-career-high of 33 points against the Milwaukee Bucks. However, he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee in February 2021, missing extended time. Before the injury, Hunter was averaging 17.2 points and 5.4 rebounds per game, earning a spot on the NBA Rising Stars roster during All-Star Weekend.
On June 9, 2021, Hunter underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his right knee, ending his season. He returned the following year and achieved new career milestones. On April 26, 2022, Hunter scored a career-high 35 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in a playoff game against the Miami Heat, though the Hawks lost and were eliminated from the postseason.
On October 17, 2022, Hunter agreed to a four-year, $95 million contract extension with the Hawks, reflecting the team’s confidence in his long-term potential. On January 13, 2023, he scored 26 points on a career-high six three-pointers in a 113-111 victory over the Indiana Pacers. On January 27, 2025, Hunter matched his career-high of 35 points in a 100-92 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Cleveland Cavaliers (2025–Present)
On February 6, 2025, Hunter was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, three second-round picks, and two pick swaps. He made 27 appearances including five starts for Cleveland over the remainder of the season, averaging 14.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.
Driving Style and Strengths
De’Andre Hunter has developed into a versatile wing player with size and length that allows him to guard multiple positions. His defensive instincts and basketball IQ, honed during his Virginia career, translate well to NBA competition. Offensively, he has shown improvement as a three-point shooter and shot creator while maintaining efficiency within the flow of the offense. His ability to stretch the floor combined with his defensive capabilities makes him a valuable two-way player for any lineup.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Hunter has demonstrated resilience in overcoming injuries while continuing to elevate his game. His championship performance at Virginia remains a career highlight, particularly the clutch plays in the 2019 NCAA title game. In the NBA, his career-high scoring performances against quality opponents demonstrate his capability to take over games when needed.
De’Andre Hunter Career Highlights
De’Andre Hunter has accumulated significant achievements across collegiate and professional competition. His defensive accolades and championship success at Virginia established his foundation, while his NBA career has featured consistent scoring outputs and gradual improvement.
College Career Highlights
HUNTER’S COLLEGE CAREER WAS DISTINGUISHED BY DEFENSIVE EXCELLENCE AND CLUTCH PERFORMANCES. In addition to his 2019 NCAA Championship, he was named NABC Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, First-team All-ACC in 2019, ACC Sixth Man of the Year in 2018, and ACC All-Freshman Team in 2018. His championship-winning performance with 27 points and 9 rebounds in the title game cemented his legacy as one of Virginia’s all-time great two-way players.
NBA Career Statistics
In his NBA career spanning six-plus seasons, Hunter has established himself as a reliable starting-caliber wing player. His career-high 35-point games demonstrate his scoring ceiling, while his consistent mid-teens scoring average reflects his reliable contributions. His career averages include approximately 15 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while playing over 25 minutes per game.
De’Andre Hunter Family
Family Background
Limited information is available regarding De’Andre Hunter’s family background and personal relationships. He has maintained a private personal life away from extensive media coverage.
Personal Life
De’Andre Hunter has focused primarily on his basketball career since entering the NBA. He has not publicly disclosed significant details about his personal relationships or family matters. Hunter’s professional trajectory has been marked by steady development and commitment to his craft.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant transition for De’Andre Hunter after six seasons with the Atlanta Hawks. His mid-season trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers in February 2025 represented a new chapter in his NBA career. Hunter adapted quickly to his new team, posting 14.3 points per game over 27 appearances with the Cavaliers while showing his ability to contribute as both a starter and reserve.
Throughout the 2025 season, Hunter demonstrated the versatility and two-way play that characterized his career. His defensive capabilities remained a valuable asset for Cleveland’s system, while his improved offensive skills provided additional scoring options. The trade for Hunter reflected the Cavaliers’ commitment to adding experienced wing talent to support their core players.