Chase Hunter's Scouting Report: 5 Reasons He’s A Dynamic Sleeper Worth Watching

Chase Hunter, a 6’4.5”, 202-pound (unofficial) combo guard out of Clemson, is an experienced graduate student who brings excitement, athleticism, shot-making, and defensive instincts to the floor.

Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Hunter is in his sixth collegiate season and will be 24 on draft day. His polished game reflects the experience he has gained over the years, making him an intriguing option for teams seeking a mature, battle-tested backcourt presence.

#1. Offensive Skill Set: A Versatile Scoring Threat

Hunter is an efficient scorer and shot creator who can generate offense at all three levels. Whether attacking the basket or knocking down outside shots, he has developed into a reliable threat both off the dribble and as a catch-and-shoot option. He’s also a near-automatic free-throw shooter.

#2. Crafty Attacker Who Puts Pressure on Defenses

Whether navigating screens, attacking in isolation or off of handoffs, Hunter applies pressure to defenses by getting to the foul line area and into the paint for one-legged runners and floaters. He’s also adept at evading defenders using side steps and craft to finish at the rim with acrobatic layups.

His ability to read defenders allows him to capitalize on closeouts, using shot fakes to get defenders off their feet, creating driving lanes. While he has shown an impressive ability to draw fouls, officiating hasn’t always been on his side, as he’s been on the receiving end of multiple no-calls despite absorbing clear contact on the way up.

#3. A Sharpshooter Finding His Rhythm?

Chase Hunter’s three-point shooting has been lights out this season. He can create separation, pull up off the dribble, shoot off handoffs, and knock down spot-up catch & shoot looks, with range extending to NBA territory.

His ability to catch fire makes him a legitimate scoring threat, but his career 34.7% mark from three raises questions about whether his current efficiency is sustainable or a temporary hot streak.

#4. Defensive Impact: Instincts, Activity, and Disruption

On the defensive end, Hunter is a capable defender who sticks to his man, contests shots, and turns defense into offense with strong instincts. He’s active in passing lanes, disrupting offenses with timely deflections and steals, often sparking transition opportunities where he can pull up for a jumper or finish above the rim, showcasing his athleticism in the open court.

While he generally stays in front of his assignment, occasional fouls on shooters highlight the need for more discipline when contesting jump shots. When beaten off the dribble, he remains engaged, using his recovery instincts and timing to force turnovers or challenge shots from behind.

#5. NBA Projection: Can Hunter Carve Out a Role?

Looking ahead, Chase Hunter’s potential NBA role is as a shot-making combo guard who can provide a scoring punch and perimeter shooting while contributing defensively with his activity in passing lanes. However, he’ll be undersized when playing the two-guard at the next level and must prove his outside shooting consistency is sustainable while showing his defensive impact can translate against NBA athletes.

Final Outlook: A Sleeper Worth Watching

In the upcoming NBA Draft Chase Hunter is currently projected as an undrafted prospect. He will likely need to carve out his path through Summer League or a two-way contract, but his offensive skill set and defensive instincts could make him an intriguing addition on a team friendly contract for teams looking for a scoring spark.

This kid is without a doubt a sleeper worth keeping your eyes on.