If RJ Hunter of the Georgia State Panthers wasn't a household name before the NCAA Tournament, he certainly is now.

The 6-foot 5 guard sank a game-winning three against the Baylor Bears in the tourney's Round of 64 to complete one of the biggest upsets this whole season. On top of that, he had a storybook overall season, averaging an incredible 19.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game for his father Ron's Panthers.

Ron Hunter and his son RJ have been extremely tight as father and son, as well as coach and player, and the plan for Hunter was always to play four years for his dad at Georgia State, and then to declare for the NBA Draft in 2016. 

"The plan was always for me to be a four-year guy. For all this to happen, it's almost like a dream."

We have had a turn of events that has changed things. On Monday morning, several sources reported that Hunter will be foregoing his senior year to enter the draft, and ESPN later confirmed when speaking to RJ, Hunter had a sensational college career, and is valued as a great prospect who can score in any way, and who is touted as an elite shooter despite only making 31 percent of his three-point attempts this past campaign. According to RJ himself, an NBA team will draft him somewhere within the range of picks 15 to 35.

"I felt like the time was right. I did everything possible I wanted to do. The way it ended with the NCAA tournament was a storybook. It was like it happened for a reason."

This comes unfortunately to his father, who injured himself while celebrating with his son over their victory in the Sun Belt Conference Championship. Ron, who fell off his chair when RJ sunk his game-winning three against Baylor, will have to let go and look forward to the future of basketball at Georgia State. At the same time, he must be extremely satisfied and proud of his son for putting in the effort to make it to this point in his career and in his life.

The success Ron and RJ Hunter had as father and son touched a soft spot for many. Unfortunately, they and the Panthers were eliminated by Xavier in the Round of 32. Hunter scored 20 in that game.

On the bright side, RJ Hunter is a top prospect nationally, and will be fun to watch develop as part of a professional organization. The draft is on June 25th this summer. See you there. 

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About the author
Zach Drapkin
Philadelphia-based journalist with expertise in basketball, football, and soccer/fútbol.