Hawks Huerter wants to support a promising rookie – Amico Hoops

When the NBA commissioner Adam Silver went on the podium and announced the 19th overall pick in the 2018 draft, Kevin Huerter discovered that he would join the Atlanta Hawks.

Passing his childhood in upstate New York, the six-foot-seven wing has never been to Atlanta, except for his preliminary training session with the Hawks in their training center. After the May 11, 2018 training, he did not know that the city could become his home for the next decade.

"The first time I went to Atlanta, it was my training session with the Hawks," Huerter told Amico Hoops.

Atlanta has nothing to do with its origin. He went to high school in a city that can receive up to 60 inches of snow a year. To the south, the entire metropolitan area of ​​Atlanta could go out due to a few inches of snow. However, the change of culture was definitely not a bad thing.

"It's very different from what I used to do," he said. "It's a big city, it's definitely one of the first cities in the NBA."

On the field, he had just finished his second year in Maryland. He helped the Terrapins lead a season of 19 wins, while averaging 14.8 points per game and more than 40% points on 3 points. He was considered a legitimate prospect of the NBA – but not a decisive first round choice. He loved Maryland and was quite comfortable returning to College Park for his junior year, but things changed after the 2018 NBA Combine.

"My stock has become too high for me to leave," he said.

The San Antonio Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks may have been more interested in the draft, but fortunately for the Hawks he fell in the 19th lap.

LEARN THE BASES

Although he did not grow up with financial difficulties and his family cares for him, Huerter was still on the verge of making more money than ever before. The starting salary for the 19th overall pick in the repechage was more than $ 2 million for his rookie season.

Many teens would instantly make a big purchase, maybe something like an exotic car.

Do not hurry.

"In fact, I waited to get a car," he said.

His parents rented him a Honda Pilot during his second year of university. The lease being so recent, he did not feel the need to pick up a new car immediately. His first major payment would be towards his apartment. Thus, during his first NBA season, while most of the teams' parking lots are filled with luxury cars, he went to games with his Honda rider.

Recently, he's offered a well-deserved Range Rover.

"Try to just spend money on the things you need and a few things," he said.

He has a shiny head on his shoulders and on the floor. The 20-year-old already has an accountant and a financial advisor, whom Huerter found with the help of his parents and his agency.

"You have to surround yourself with great people," he said.

He also grew up surrounded by great basketball people.

His father played at Division I for Siena College. He also started to train with Steve Dagostino, a former D-II player who is now a basketball coach, in eighth grade.

Dagostino, who is still his coach to date, recalled a story from the period when Huerter was in grade 10 and the moment he knew he would be an NBA player.

"He pitched like a left-handed pass on a dime for everyone," said Dagostino. "I turned to the person next to me and said," Fuck shit, Kev is going to be in the NBA. "

During the rookie season, he helped train one of the best young basketball players. After a tough start to the season from 6 to 20, the Hawks were imposing themselves as one of the most entertaining teams in the league.

Featured by beginners Trae Young, Huerter and the sophomore John Collins, the Hawks became one of the best teams in the league after the All-Star break. They even finished the season a respectable 10-13.

On the ground, they are ahead.

"We played very well for a long time and we felt better," said Huerter. "Even the games we lost we could look back and it really was like one or two games that went differently and that the outcome of the match would have been different."

NEXT STEPS

Although they were exciting, they won only 29 games, which gives even more motivation for a potential birth for the playoffs next season.

"The playoffs are now in our state of mind," said Huerter. "It stinks sitting at home watching. Our season ended two months ago and there are still teams playing. "

While the Hawks had a young and bright core, they also had a very unique mix of well-prepared veterans in the lap. Vince Carter at 42 was there to help guide them. Being in his 21st season, he had seen everything. Huerter was wearing diapers when Carter began his career in the NBA.

"He would literally help us every game," he said. "He was an extension of the coaching staff."

Huerter also became very close to his fellow recruits, Young and Omari Spellman. His girlfriend even became good friends with Young's girlfriend, who frequented them all.

They were also able to experience together the infamous tasks of the recruits. Huerter recalled the story of a road trip and received a call from a former teammate, Dewayne Dedmon.

"I was lying in my room, I think we were in Indiana," Huerter said. "Dedmon was," Hey Kev, I need a deodorant, I need a toothpaste. So I had to go to Uber to a CVS and get him some deodorant and some toothpaste. It's literally all they think spontaneously and you have to go running and get it for them. "

FULL LOT

Despite the highs and lows of the field team, rookie life in the NBA and all that life can bring to a 20 year old girl, Huerter has had a fantastic rookie season. He scored an average of nearly 10 points per game, shot 39% out of three, and was named to the second team of stars.

An impressive reward, especially for someone chosen outside the lottery. Now, there are expectations of himself and all the others.

One of the most important things he needs to improve is his finish on the rim, which would also lead him to reach the free throw line.

"I worked a lot on my finishes," he said. "Try to make my ball treatment a little tighter."

Because of Huerter's incredible shooting ability, it's easy to forget his high basketball IQ and his impressive pass ability. Huerter said the Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce even joking, he might play a playmaker next season.

However, this might not be a joke.

Dagostino considers his long-time client as a guardian who can do much more than shoot.

"His vision and his IQ are the best in his game," said Dagostino.

A beautiful illustration of his conscience has been exposed recently. Dagostino told Huerter about a particular play in which he was being robbed the ball during a race to the basket. Yet Huerter could remember the exact game and the exact player who stole the ball. Dagostino had the video of the play and he could not even remember the particular player who stole the ball.

"It was funny because I had the video," said Dagostino. "I did not remember if it was Derrick White or the other shooting guard, Bryn Forbes. He told me that it was against the Spurs against Derrick White.

WORKING BEFORE

This summer, Huerter returned home to New York for a vacation with friends and to play golf, but he is finally in Atlanta during the week, training at the team's practice center.

The ultimate definition of a successful second season in his mind will come back to consistency. Shoot 40% out of three is a goal.

He also feels at his best when he is the playmaker.

"It does not matter where I stand, no matter where I stand," said Huerter. "I think I'm really at my best when I can find guys and I can make games for others and obviously for myself.

"Whether at the guardhouse, at two positions, whatever. I just want to have the chance to make games for other people. "