(Image - Talented forward Othello Hunter eyes a slam dunk against Italian power Siena - Italy - 2010/2011)
Buckeye: Othello Hunter
Years Pro: Three
Number of Countries Played In: Three (United States - NBA, Greece - A1, Italy - Serie A)
Former Team: Dinamo Sassari
New Team: Shandong Lions
League: Chinese Basketball Association
(In one of the most notable signings of the Pro Buckeye Off-Season, Othello Hunter agreed to a deal with the Shandong Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association for 2011/2012.)
Elite Buckeye - In our view, former Buckeye Othello Hunter really made a name for himself on the international stage after having what we would call a breakout season in the Italian Basketball League. As you may remember, Hunter saw limited on court time with the Atlanta Hawks in his first year and half of pro ball. He would finish the 2009/2010 season (his second year) in Greece before joining Dinamo Sassari of Italy for his 2010/2011 run. Playing in the Serie A (Italy) gave Hunter the opportunity to start & play big minutes in a top five European league.
Othello flourished under coach Romeo Sacchetti's up and down/fast style of play. The big man out of North Carolina, United States averaged 15 points, 7 rebounds in 30 Serie A games (stats). Hunter had several monster performances..he scored 17 or more points in 11 games and collected seven double-doubles. His season high was a 28 point/9 board effort at Cremona in round 30. He also performed well in both of his games (20 & 17 point games) against league Champion Siena which opened some eyes in the European Basketball community. Othello Hunter was recognized as one of the top big men in Italy with a selection to 2011 Lega Basket All-Star Game (his first career All-Star selection!).
In addition to his individual accomplishments, Hunter also experienced overall team success with Sassari. He teamed with fellow American nationals James White and Travis Diener to form a core that would turn Sassari into one of Italy's surprise teams of 2010/2011. Sassari finished the regular season in sixth place which was good enough for the club's first ever playoff birth. (Hunter and company shocked the country by winning game one vs #2 seeded Milano in game one of the playoffs, but they eventually fell in the series 3-1). This was a very successful year for Othello in our opinion because a lot of folks got view how his play had a direct impact on Dinamo Sassari's historical club success.
Hunter has not been playing pro ball for that long, but he already has a nice resume which includes time in the NBA, and starters experience in Greece & Italy. He continues to get better with each year of season. Othello was specifically devastating in the pick & roll /pop set with Travis Diener in Italy. Transition is where he can be especially dangerous as an athletic/running big man, and he also able to display a nice face up jumper as well. 'O' is now ready to show off his talented game in the top basketball league in Asia!
A Buckeye in the CBA ! When it comes to popularity and notoriety in the word of pro basketball, there is first of course the National Basketball Association of the USA..then there is Europe's top super competition, the Euroleague followed by domestic leagues of Spain, Italy, Turkey, and China..yes China!. The CBA, short for Chinese Basketball Association, is Asia's premier basketball league in terms of quality of talent & organization. And this only make sense because China is the number one basketball country in Asia. The Chinese National team routinely wins the FIBA Asia Championships & plays in competitions such as the Olympics & World Championships. Moreover, China has produced multiple NBA talents which has helped fuel unprecedented interest in the sport of basketball among the Chinese populace. And the national league has only benefited from the last decade of increased basketball popularity in China. The CBA is known for its large audiences and expansive media coverage throughout Asia.
NBA Model/Star Power - The Chinese Basketball Association is currently a coveted destination for top American imports due to the lucrative contracts and style of play. Unlike the FIBA leagues in Europe, the CBA is modeled after the NBA with four 12 minute quarters and long playoff series formats. CBA games often times feature high scoring contests filled with entertaining highlights. China is always mentioned as a possible place to play during the lockout for some of these top players like Kobe Bryant because the CBA is known as a place where guys can make good money while playing a familiar style in a strong international market.
Here's a CBA a preview from international Basketball website SoloBasket.com. This 2011/2012 CBA season may be the biggest ever as far as global fan interest. The import list unbelivably strong in part due to the NBA lockout. Some of the current & former NBA guys slated to play in the CBA are Keyon Martin, J.R Smith, Stephon Marbury, Sebastian Telfair, Aaron Brooks, Wilson Chandler, Randolph Morris, Gerald Green, Cartier Martin, and Marcus Williams!
Othello Hunter is the first Ohio State Buckeye to compete in the Chinese Basketball Association! (Fellow Buckeyes Terence Dials & James Sullinger have played in China in recent years, but that was in the country's 2nd league..the NBL). Hunter will team up with former Michigan State star Alan Anderson for his new squad, the Shandong Lions. The season opener is on November 19 vs Foshan. We can hardly wait to watch Othello hoop out on Asia's biggest stage!
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