Duke’s second student, Matthew Hurt, will testify for the 2021 NBA draft and waive his eligibility for college by hiring an agent, he told ESPN Wednesday.
Hurt, the No. 48 in the ESPN 100, was named All-ACC First Team and the winner of the ACC’s Most Improved Player Award after averaging 18.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game while shot 44.4% from a distance of 3 points.
Hurt, 6-foot 9- and 20-year-old, is considered one of the most qualified offensive players in the NBA draft, with the second-best 3-point percentage of any player currently projected, after Bayion’s Davion Mitchell.
With top-notch NBA teams making outside shots from the happy 3-point era, a player like Hurt will be attractive with his ability to stretch defenses with his combination of elite size and tactile shooting. .
More than a specialist in catches and shots, Hurt was also favorably ranked in several categories for his ability to score inside the arc, converting 48% of his drop jump shots, by Synergy Sports Technology, as well as 71% of their post-attempts and 69% of their transition opportunities.
Hurt will be just the second player in the last 30 years of college basketball to be drafted after shooting more than 63% inside the arc and 44% outside the arc, along with Doug McDermott of Creighton.
Decorated perspective in high school, Hurt won a gold medal with USA Basketball at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship in 2018. He was named Mr. Minnesota Basketball and received invitations to the McDonald’s All American Game and the Nike Hoop Summit in 2019.
Duke ended his postseason hopes when one of his players tested positive for COVID-19 hours before the ACC quarterfinals, forcing the team to withdraw from the event and effectively end the his season.
The NBA draft will take place on July 29th. A draft scheduled for June 21 will include a competitive action against five based on public health conditions.