5 things to know about Tyrese Hunter, Iowa State's NCAA Tournament breakout star
Iowa State's resurgent 2021-22 men's basketball season caught the college basketball world by surprise. One of the biggest keys to the Cyclones' shocking success in coach T.J. Otzelberger's first year in charge has been the strong play of true freshman point guard Tyrese Hunter.
Hunter, who has started all 34 games at point guard for Iowa State this season, has had his fair share of memorable moments in his short time in Ames.
Here's what you should know about Hunter, one of the breakout stars of the NCAA Tournament and a significant part of Iowa State's rebuild.
How tall is Tyrese Hunter?
Iowa State lists Hunter at 6-feet tall, making him the shortest player on the Cyclones' roster along with junior guard Tre Jackson.
What number is Tyrese Hunter?
Hunter wears No. 11 for the Cyclones. He's not the first standout point guard to wear that number at Iowa State.
Monte Morris of the Denver Nuggets, who is Iowa State's all-time steals and assists leader, also wore No. 11 at Iowa State. Longtime Indiana Pacers point guard Jamaal Tinsley was another No. 11 during his two years in Ames.
Other Cyclones to wear No. 11 include current Los Angeles Lakers player Talen Horton-Tucker and former Detroit Pistons draft pick Will Blalock.
More:Peterson: T.J. Otzelberger's coaching has been a masterpiece for Iowa State basketball
Where is Tyrese Hunter from?
Hunter comes from Racine, Wisconsin, where he was a star basketball player for St. Catherine's.
Hunter's team won the Wisconsin Division 3 state championship in 2021, going 28-1 on the season.
What is Tyrese Hunter's career-high for points?
Hunter saved his best performance of the season for the perfect occasion.
In his first game back in his home state of Wisconsin, Hunter dropped a career-high 23 points in the first-round NCAA Tournament game vs. LSU. Hunter also hit a pair of clutch 3s in the final minutes of the game, including a deep 3-pointer to seal the game with less than 20 seconds remaining.
Hunter finished the game 8-for-13 from the floor, including a career-best 7-for-11 on 3-pointers.
More:'Tyrese Hunter is that dude': Fans react after freshman keys Iowa State NCAA Tournament win
Tyrese Hunter was the 2022 Big 12 Freshman of the Year
Hunter's successful freshman campaign didn't go unnoticed by the Big 12 coaches. Hunter was named Big 12 Freshman of the Year after averaging 11.3 points and 5.0 assists per game during conference play.
Aaron Marner is a digital producer with the USA Today Network. You can follow him on Twitter @A_Mar32 or reach him at amarner@gannett.com.