Meet the Knicks’ Summer League human highlight reel Feron Hunt

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 08: Feron Hunt #16 of the New York Knicks dives on a loose ball against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on April 08, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 08: Feron Hunt #16 of the New York Knicks dives on a loose ball against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on April 08, 2022 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

With just over seven minutes left in the third quarter of the New York Knicks’ first Summer League game against the Warriors, Feron Hunt ran out on the break, grabbed a pass, took one step within the free throw line, and raised up for a windmill.

The crowd went crazy. Twitter lit up with videos of the slam.

But for most viewers — even attentive Knicks fans — many didn’t know much about the player who had taken over the game with his jaw-dropping athleticism.

Who is New York Knicks forward Feron Hunt?

Firstly, Hunt is someone who has averaged 11.3 points, 3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 3.3 steals a game on 53.8% shooting from the field for New York in the first three games of Summer League.

He’s currently on a two-way deal with the team along with rookie Trevor Keels.

Hunt’s story starts, though, in DeSoto, Texas, where he was a three-star recruit who ended up deciding to stay local and attend SMU. The school is a 37-minute drive from his hometown.

He played three years at SMU from 2018 to 2021, starting the majority of his games in his sophomore campaign and the entirety of them his junior year.

His college line over the three seasons was 9.6 points and 6.8 rebounds on 55.7% shooting from the field.

Hunt ended up going undrafted in 2021 but was eventually signed to the Dallas Mavericks’ G League squad. He was waived in October and signed a 10-day hardship contract with the New Orleans Pelicans in late December and was then reacquired by the Texas Legends.

After 37 successful games with the Legends, the Knicks made the move to get Hunt on their G League team. The SMU product balled out in his first G League campaign.

He put up 18.1 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.6 steals, on his typical above 50% field goal percentage and even raised his 3-point percentage to a respectful 36.4% in the 34 games he played last year.

The man was dunking on everybody.

Does Feron Hunt deserve a spot on the Knicks’ roster?

Hunt fits the mold of the modern age of positionless basketball and the trend of playoff-level teams stockpiling as many lengthy wings as possible.

Think Mikal Bridges. Think Andrew Wiggins. Think Herb Jones.

While it might seem silly to compare Hunt to these more proven guys, it seems as if he has the tools to be that type of player.

The six-foot-eight, 195-pound hooper is leading the entire Las Vegas Summer League in steals at 3.3 a game.

Three-point shooting might not be an obvious strength, but he went from a 25% shooter in college to a 36% shooter from behind the line during his first year in the G League.

It’s clearly a skill he realized he needed to improve and he showed that he can do exactly that.

The cherry on top remains, as he can put up this many highlights in a single game.