PF Othello Hunter (Maccabi Tel Aviv BC)

[Buckskin86]

TRAINING CAMPERS

The training camp roster stands at 20 players, right at the number expected. Can?t say that there are any surprise names on the list either. You know the regulars, the guys already under guaranteed contracts for this season. What deserves further scrutiny is the eight players on the training camp roster that are looking for work. A brief breakdown of each guy and the initial outlook of his chances of securing that 13th roster spot (and perhaps the 14th if someone makes a definitive case for sticking around):

OTHELLO HUNTER ? Having already made the team this way a year ago, Hunter knows the odds are stacked against him sticking this year. The Hawks are deeper in the frontcourt and they?re not as likely to keep a developmental player on the roster if they?re only going to keep 13 players. Still, Hunter has improved as much anyone on the roster from this time a year ago. And with a strong camp, he could force the Hawks to consider keeping him.

Summer work is done, training camp is here | Hawks Blog

 

[Buckskin86]

Atlanta Hawks
Friday, October 2, 2009
Hawks' Hunter making an impressionBy Sekou Smith
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Like all the other free-agent invitees in the Hawks' training camp, Othello Hunter has designs on securing one of the open roster spots that are available.

But unlike most of them, he has extensive experience in coach Mike Woodson's system. He knows the ins and outs of the offense and what Woodson is looking for on defense.

He also knows that the key to making the right impression is playing at a breakneck pace on both ends of the floor at all times, courtesy of spending his rookie season with the Hawks last year.

"I just feel like I have to play like that all the time," Hunter said. "It doesn?t matter if I was already signed here [to a guaranteed contract] or not. I understand now what it means to be working to take care of your family and working with a purpose. I did it last year. Even more important to me is proving that you can play and that you belong here.

"And to do that, you've got to go hard every single day."

Hunter has done that. And there's no doubt he belongs. Even though he played sparingly last season, he appeared in just 16 games; he made a strong case for a return visit to camp with his diligent work in the offseason.

He worked regularly with Hawks assistant coach Tyrone Hill to polish his game and also with strength and conditioning coach Chattin Hill to build up his frame.

"I think it helped, I really do," said Hunter, who explored other training-camp options this summer before deciding to return to the Hawks. "I know what to expect better this time around. I know what training camp is going to be like. I know what's expected. Being here made the most sense for me."

Woodson agreed.

"He's worked hard and it shows," Woodson said. "He's doing a fantastic job right now."

Hawks' Hunter making an impression ?| ajc.com

 

[naptownbuck]

Hunter in good shape

In early October nine free agents, including Othello Hunter, started training camp with the Atlanta Hawks in competition for at the most, just two roster spots. Today only one of those free agents remain, Othello Hunter.

Ex-Jacket West among Hawks' cuts ?| ajc.com

The Hawks cut Mario West and Courtney Sims from the training camp roster before Wednesday's practice and rookie Garrett Siler after practice, leaving 13 players on the roster.

Othello Hunter is the only free agent who remains.

It looks like Hunter is in great shape to stick with the Hawks. I've read some comments from the Hawks Nation like, "Hunter has made the team", but it's not over until the contract is signed. I always thought he had the inside track going into camp though. He had a year of experience with the system, the coaches and players all like his effort, plus he improved in the off-season. His pre-season minutes were greater than any of the other training camp invites. (Othello was the 3rd PF with Joe Smith out). I even watched the nba tv real training camp program with Atlanta and Hunter seemed like one of the regulars. The Woodson really likes him..he is known simply as 'O'.

Oh yeah, Je'Kel Foster dropped 20 points in his Euroleague debut today.

 

[Wells4Heisman]

Got Othello's autograph today on my Final Four Hat....

Nice guy, I really hope he gets some significant playing time soon.

 

[naptownbuck]

GoErie.com: Basketball: Erie BayHawks - BayHawks seeking big man with second pick in D-League draft

BayHawks seeking big man with second pick in D-League draft

The BayHawks were hoping to address their need for a post player with Othello Hunter of Ohio State.

Treloar wanted to place the 6-foot 8-inch 225-pound forward on Erie's allocation list, which consists of players from a D-League team's region that can create fan interest and are NBA-caliber players.

Hunter ended up earning a spot with the Atlanta Hawks for a second straight season.

"That part of the personnel process is one that you want to see guys have success," Treloar said. "You can't pull against the kid because if he knows you're pulling against him, he's not going to want to play for you.

Hunter wasn't drafted coming out of college in 2008.

He played with returning BayHawks small forward Ivan Harris at Ohio State when the Buckeyes made it the 2007 NCAA national title game before losing to Florida.

"You try to look at the NBA rosters and evaluate the NBA rosters and look at their guarantee contract situation and evaluate and try to spot some guys you think can fall through the cracks," Treloar added.

 

[Buckskin86]

Othello Hunter, who has been inactive thus far this season, will be activated Friday and will play a backup role to forward Josh Smith.

"We can always play Al (Horford) at the ?4 [spot],' Marvin (Williams) at the ?4,' " coach Mike Woodson said. "If I don't feel comfortable with ?O,' I can go that route."

Smith will be the first Hawk to miss a game due to injury. The Raptors, by comparison, have lost 35 player games.

Hunter played 16 games last season as a rookie.

"It's kind of hard [being inactive] because you can look and see what you can do out there. And to know you're still in a suit kind of [stinks]," Hunter said. "But now I feel like all that I watched and learned, I can actually bring it to the court now

Hawks' Joe Smith out with thumb injury ?| ajc.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Hawks Waive Hunter
Jan 05, 2010

The Atlanta Hawks today requested waivers on forward Othello Hunter, according to Executive Vice President/General Manager Rick Sund. Hunter appeared in seven games this season, and averaged 1.6 ppg and 1.7 rpg in 4.7 mpg (.333 FG%, .750 FT%). He played in 16 games with Atlanta last season as a rookie, and had four playoff appearances. Overall, in 23 career regular season games with the Hawks, Hunter compiled 1.4 ppg and 1.6 rpg in 5.4 mpg (.469 FG%, .333 FT%).

RealGM: Basketball Wiretap Archives: Hawks Waive Hunter

 

[Buckskin86]

Othello Hunter, the losing streak
10:34 am January 6, 2010, by Ken Sugiura

Hey, folks-

Hope you are well. I wanted to hopefully shed some light on the Hawks? thinking in the release of Othello Hunter (some) and also the players-only meeting (probably not a lot more than what was in the story).

First, Hunter. This is Rick Sund?s answer to why the team made the move.

?Basically, it just gives us some options for the roster. Wev?e got a two-week grace period in which we can have a 12-man roster before we have to get to a 13-man roster. It allows us to be able to look at the waiver wires a little bit right now. We have the NBDL Showcase, which coincides with this time period, so all the D-League teams are in one place.?

My sense of things is that they?ll look hard at the Showcase, see if any other NBA teams? cuts looks intriguing, and if not, they may well go ahead and sign Hunter back. Sund said there wasn?t anything in particular they were looking for.

Said Sund, ?I think we?re pretty well-covered in all the positions. I?ve had some dialogue with Woody. We?ll see what happens in the next week and a half.?

I imagine some of you pull your hair out at the notion of the team being well-covered at every position. Certainly, the Hawks could be strengthened at some spots. But I?d say it?s unlikely that there?s someone out there in the D-League or about to get cast off from an NBA roster who?s going to be significantly better than what the Hawks have now.

What was interesting to me was that the Hawks didn?t have to let Hunter go to fish around, but it would certainly appear that budget has at least something to do with it. I asked Sund about why they couldn?t just add a 10-day player if they found one, or something to that effect, and he said, ?We?re going to go with a 13-man roster this year.?

In fairness, I don?t think it is that big a deal. Some teams carry the full 15. Having more would help, certainly. If a player got hurt, then you could have someone to dress out who already knows the schemes. But, these are the realities of the league and the franchise. The Nets are, or at least were, leaving one assistant coach at home on each road trip to save money.

Othello Hunter, the losing streak | Hawks Blog

Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Evans calls Hawks' cut of Hunter ?unfortunate'
By Ken Sugiura
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Hawks swingman Mo Evans was subdued talking about forward Othello Hunter, whom the Hawks put on waivers Tuesday. Evans, who like Hunter came into the league as an undrafted player, had taken Hunter under his wing in their two seasons together.

.Said Evans, "I've spent many a dinner counseling him and talking to him and for this to happen, I think it's unfortunate, but at the same time, it provides him the opportunity to get better [by] playing because no one can get better in this league when they don't get playing time."

Hawks coach Mike Woodson said he doesn't have a preference on what sort of player he would like to sign to replace Hunter for the 13th roster spot. He said he and the staff will watch D-League video and pay attention to the waiver wire for options.

"We've got two or three weeks to play it out and see what direction we decide we want to go," he said.

Evans calls Hawks' cut of Hunter ‘unfortunate' ?| ajc.com

 

[Buckskin86]

Former NBA player signs for the Greek team

Greek team Ilisiakos announced the signing until the end of the season of American player Othello Hunter. The forward has played seven games with Hawks in the current season averaging 1.6ppg and 1.7rpg.

Hunter spent the final two years of his college career at Ohio State, where he scored 589 points in 76 career games (7.8 ppg) and hit .583 from the field. Also he averaged 5.5 rpg (178 of his 415 rebounds were offensive) along with 1.3 bpg and helped lead the Buckeyes to the 2008 NIT title, averaging 9.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 1.5 bpg (.596 FG%) in 37 starts as a senior ? Spent first two seasons at Hillsborough Community College in Florida, earning NJCAA All-America honors as a sophomore after tallying 16.8 ppg and 11.4 rpg.

Othello Hunter lands in Europe and signs with Ilisiakos | Europa | Esteri | Sportando

 

[Buckskin86]

Othello Hunter - Bobcats' Summer League fans should be rather familiar with Hunter since he played with the team as a rookie out of Ohio State, but I'll forgive you if you're not. The Bobcats staff probably isn't even that familiar with him after he left the team to join the Hawks after not getting much play in their first few games. The rest, you could say, is history. Since being waived by the Hawks so that they could eventually call-up Mario West from the D-League (yes, you read that right), Hunter's played with Ilysiakos in Greece where he averaged 10.6 points and 8.0 rebounds in eight games. He more than likely has a Summer League invite already as well. If not, he'll end up one before the process is over.

Charlotte Bobcats Free Agent Workout Featuring Darius Miles And The D-Leaguers - Ridiculous Upside

 

[Buckskin86]

Othello on the Nuggets summer league roster...

Denver Nuggets Summer League Roster - Ridiculous Upside

 

[Buckskin86]

Someone to watch that you might not know: Othello Hunter, a former Ohio State big man, had a great game for the Nuggets yesterday, dropping 12 points on 5-6 shooting, including a thunderous alleyoop dunk late in the game. He's athletic and can really run the floor, both plusses for a big man in Summer League.

NBA Las Vegas Summer League Day 3: John Wall Finally Makes His Debut - SBNation.com

Othello Hunter, PF/C - Playing center in Brian Butch's absence, Hunter came through with a nicely efficient performance, scoring 19 points on 10 shots. He also had seven rebounds and two blocks. He's not an NBA center, but if Hunter keeps putting up numbers and showing off post moves he'll get a chance to show he can play power forward, at least.

NBA 2010 Las Vegas Summer League Day 3 Review - Ridiculous Upside

 

[OregonBuckeye]

Daily Dime - ESPN

9. Breaking Down Othello Hunter


By Bret LaGree
TrueHoop Network

"Three weeks ago Atlanta Hawks assistant general manager Dave Pendergraft called Othello Hunter's season-and-a-half with the team as an experiment they didn't see through. Hunter appeared in just 23 games for 125 minutes with the Hawks. Despite having no immediate need for him, the Hawks assigned Hunter to the D-League for just three games during the 2008-09 season. After the Hawks released him in January, he finished the 2010 season in Greece, averaging 10 points and seven rebounds in 23 minutes per game for Ilisiakos.
His first stretch of regular playing time since his senior season at Ohio State may have given Hunter the confidence to again demonstrate his strengths on the glass and around the basket. Through four games with the undefeated Denver Nuggets summer league team, Hunter has again produced when given playing time, averaging 13 points and five rebounds in 24 minutes per game while making more than two-thirds of his field goal attempts."
Bret LaGree is a regular contributor to the Daily Dime.

 

[Buckskin86]

Nuggets' Summer Leaguer Othello Hunter Will Play In Italy Next Season
by Scott Schroeder on Aug 9, 2010

Othello Hunter, a 6-foot-8 forward out of Ohio State, has signed to play next season with Dinamo Sassari in Italy according to a press release from the team.

Hunter played for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Summer League in Vegas after splitting his two professional seasons between the Atlanta Hawks and Ilysiakos in Greece. In my Nuggets' Summer League roster preview, I wrote the following:

Othello Hunter, PF, Ohio State - Hunter made the Atlanta Hawks out of Summer League as undrafted free agent in 2008 and, with a good summer for the Nuggets, methinks lightning could strike twice.

Hunters runs the floor well and loves to dunk the ball - two things I can definitely appreciate from a big man since every team needs a good hustle player (the Nuggets have a few already, but whatevz). On defense, his smaller stature - 6-foot-8, 220 pounds - doesn't allow him to body up very well on bigger post players, leaving him at a disadvantage when a team tries to back him down.

I'm not going to say I love his chances, but he's already been able to make an NBA roster as a hustle player. If not, he performed admirably in Greece after being cut by the Hawks mid-season so I'm sure there will be more opportunities available abroad.

Hunter had a solid showing for the Nuggets in July as he averaged 12.8 points and 6.4 boards to go with one block per game while shooting an impressive 62% from the field, but he becomes one of the many players this offseason to take a guaranteed paycheck overseas as opposed to hoping to get a solid opportunity to prove himself on an NBA training camp roster.

Nuggets' Summer Leaguer Othello Hunter Will Play In Italy Next Season - Ridiculous Upside

 

[naptownbuck]

Clips of Othello at the 2010 NBA Las Vegas Summer League. O is already in Rome preparing for the upcoming season. He will team with James 'Flight' White (Cincinnati) & Travis Diener (Marquette) for Dinamo Sassari in the premier Italian League.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54S8mLSMlIc"]YouTube - Othello Hunter - Summer League 2010[/ame]