Tyrese Hunter, the floor general for the University of Texas (UT) Longhorns men’s basketball team, announced on Friday that he’s entering the National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft, Austin NBC affiliate KXAN reported.
While the 6-foot, 175-pound sophomore could hear NBA Commissioner David Silver call his name in June, according to Sports Illustrated (SI), there’s a chance he could return to Austin as he will retain his collegiate eligibility.
Hunter, who transferred from conference rival Iowa State University (ISU) and suited up for UT for one season, announced his plans on social media.
“I want to thank all the people who have helped me get to this point,” he said in a tweet. “Longhorn Nation, thank you! Since day one, you have shown me a tremendous amount of support.”
Per SI, it’s unclear whether Hunter will enter the transfer portal should he choose to withdraw his name from the NBA Draft.
He quarterbacked the offense of a team that endured a coaching change barely 10 games into the season and advanced as far as the Elite Eight of the just-concluded National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I men's basketball tournament.
KXAN reported that Hunter produced 10.3 points per game (PPG) and close to three assists a contest in his lone season in the burnt orange.
He earned Big 12 Freshman of the Year with the Cyclones.
SI reported that Hunter increased his scoring average to 11 PPG during what was the Longhorns’ deepest March Madness run in 15 years, which included a program-high 19 points in the Sweet Sixteen victory over Xavier University.
UT fell to the University of Miami (FL) in the Elite Eight and completed the season with a 29-9 overall record.
Having fired Chris Beard earlier this year, the Longhorns moved forward with then-interim head coach Rodney Terry.
Terry was hired to the position on a permanent basis on March 27.