NCAA Basketball: 9 players primed for breakout seasons in 2018-19

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CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA – JANUARY 9: De’Andre Hunter #12 of the Virginia Cavaliers shoots between Oshae Brissett #11 and Paschal Chukwu #13 of the Syracuse Orange in the first half during a game at John Paul Jones Arena on January 9, 2018 in Charlottesville, Virginia. (Photo by Ryan M. Kelly/Getty Images) /

De’Andre Hunter, SF/SG, Virginia

Virginia isn’t a team that’s used to having top-level stars but De’Andre Hunter may turn into the best player they’ve had under head coach Tony Bennett.

He’s already one of the best defensive players in the country – the only game he missed last year was their loss to UMBC – thanks to his size, length, and athleticism. At 6-foot-7 and 222 pounds, Hunter can defend all five positions on the court, something that makes him a key part of Virginia’s attack.

“He had a heck of a year,” Bennett said back in March about Hunter’s season. “I thought he really developed and, you know, helped us so much with his versatility, offensively and defensively. We talked a lot about that.”

Hunter’s offensive game is still expanding but he has a tremendous amount of upside on that end of the floor. That upside, coupled with his defensive prowess, has him projected to be a lottery pick (or at least a first-round lock) in the 2019 NBA Draft.

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