NBA rookies believe the Boston Celtics made out like bandits when they scooped up R.J. Hunter with the 28th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.
The sharpshooting guard was voted the second-biggest steal of the draft in a survey at the Panini Rookie Photo Shoot earlier this month. Thirty-six rookies participated — and could not vote for themselves, their college teammates or their current NBA teammates — and Hunter garnered 9.1 percent of the vote.
Minnesota’s Tyus Jones (No. 24), Chicago’s Bobby Portis (No. 22) and Miami’s Justise Winslow (No. 10) also garnered 9.1 percent, with Joseph Young, whom the Indiana Pacers drafted 43rd overall, receiving the most love from his fellow rookies, topping the list at 12.1 percent.
Interestingly, Celtics guard Terry Rozier, whom many experts viewed as a reach at No. 16, was tied for sixth on the list of biggest draft steals with 6.1 percent of the vote.
Hunter also was recognized for his shooting prowess, with the Georgia State product finishing tied for second in the voting for best shooter. He and Portland Trail Blazers guard — and Arlington, Mass., native — Pat Connaughton each garnered 8.8 percent of the vote, but Phoenix Suns draftee Devin Booker blew the competition out of the water to top the chart at 58.8 percent.
Hunter showed plenty of potential on the summer league circuit, shaking off a slow start to score in double figures in five of the Celtics’ final six games.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@leahysean
