Anderson Hunt, the only member of UNLV's starting five who didn't get picked in the NBA draft, is trying the free agent route toward making the pros.
Hunt, a 6-foot-1 guard on the Vegas squad that lost to Duke in the NCAA semifinals, passed up his senior year because the Runnin' Rebels face probation. Although he didn't get drafted in June, he is trying to latch on with the Washington Bullets.In addition to trying to make the transition from the college game to the pros, Hunt is being asked to switch from off guard to point guard.
It hasn't been easy. In a rookie game against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday, he was 1-for-5 from the field and finished with two points.
But even if he doesn't make it with the Bullets, all is not lost. Hunt also has plans to try out this summer with at least two other teams. He isn't choosey about where he plays.
"A lot of people say, `I don't want to go to Washington,' " Hunt told The Washington Post. "They say, `I want to go to Boston or L.A., somewhere where I can win.' I wanted to go somewhere where I can play and I like everyone. You have to work hard for a championship."
Hunt was the MVP in the 1990 NCAA final, scoring 29 points in UNLV's runaway victory over Duke. Last season he missed an important 23-foot jumper in the rematch against the Blue Devils, and the Runnin' Rebels never recovered. Hunt said there was a bigger reason behind the setback.
"During the tournament a lot our players got caught up in the entertainment and money aspect of the game," he said. "That's why we lost."