The past year, Hunter Tyson has shed the tag of one-dimensional and evolved into an all-around scoring threat. Now at 6-foot-8, he’s developed a knack for posting up smaller defenders and capitalizing on mismatches.
Adding bulk onto a once-spindly frame while simultaneously showing strides in finishing and aggressively dunking in traffic has provided necessary balance.
Given the consistency of his scoring and his penchant for getting hot in a hurry, you now have one of North Carolina’s top-10 prospects in the Class of 2018.
“I’ve been working a lot at getting quicker, getting quicker with my handle and also getting stronger,” said Tyson, of Piedmont (Monroe, N.C.).
“I’m still trying to get stronger and get to the rim quicker, getting the right elevation and getting higher off the floor to get the rebound. Playing for Team CP3, the key is finding other ways to get my hands on the ball. Everyone can create their own shot and everyone can score the ball. If I want more touches, I have to find other ways to score the ball. That means rebounding, getting steals and finishes, pushing the break.”
Heading into his senior season, Tyson’s blend of skill-set and academics (4.6 GPA) has turned offers from East Carolina and Elonand Appalachian State to offers from Michigan, Tennessee, Wake Forest, Davidson, and Clemson.
His father, former Union County star Jonathon Tyson, continues to hold him to a high standard off the court and on it.
“I hope he continues to develop as a person and developing leadership qualities is very important to both him and the team,” Jonathon Tyson said.
“He’s not one of the younger guys any more so he’s going to have to embrace a leadership role and work in guiding the younger guys through. He’s a really good student and I think that helps with being a leader in school and as a whole.”
While he is wide open right now, Tyson appears to be favoring Michigan and Tennessee.
“I would say I am talking to Michigan the most currently,” Tyson explained. “Coach (John) Beilein and I have a very good relationship. I will be visiting Ann Arbor next on June 30th. Clemson, Tennessee, and Wake Forest have been consistent as well. With Tennessee, I’ve been mainly talking with coach (Desmond) Oliver.”
Tyson has already visited Tennessee, taking in the Vols 59-54 win over Alabama on senior night. The Vols came roaring back from a 16-point deficit in that one, closing out the game on a wild 11-1 spurt in the final 4:30.
Possessing NBA-caliber 3-point range, Tyson’s work ethic and shooting stroke was never open to any scrutiny. It was his overall scoring acumen and utilizing his height to his advantage as a go-to option once open to question. Tyson heard his fair share of “soft shooter” taunts from the crowd.
He’s steadily silenced his detractors by becoming more adept around the rim and developing a feel for the above the rim game.
Adjusting to a greater speed and the physical demands of being a multi-faceted big has paid dividends for Tyson.
“Getting stronger has been a great help,” he said.
“When I get in the lane I feel I can finish easier now and finish through contact.”
