View full size photo »

This is a bit overdue and rather surprising, considering he missed the last two games of the season with a hairline fracture in his ankle, but Chris Hunter has been called-up to the New York Knicks, the fifth Knicks call-up this season.

Hunter, a 6'11", 240 pound big man out of Michigan, dominated this season on a disappointing Mad Ants team, averaging 19.3 points, 9.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks, shooting 55% from the field and 81% (impressive) from the free-throw line.  Hunter was a D-League all-star, and RU's pick for second best center behind former Michigan teammate (and former Knick) Courtney Sims.

He's not the shot blocker that the Knicks have been looking at recently, doing the majority of his damage on offense the offensive end instead.  Hunter impressed me in the low post this season, but also showed a serviceable jumper when it was needed.  His best asset may be in the pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop, as he and Walker Russell, Jr. ran it early and often.  On defense, he's good, but not great, he's not going to impress, neccesarily, but he doesn't often get in foul trouble either.

This is obviously a move to secure his Summer rights, hoping that they've finally decided opon the right D-Leaguer.  The Knicks showed interest earlier in the season, when they did their D-League tryouts, but chose Demetris Nichols and Cheikh Samb.  Apparently the Knicks didn't see what they wanted in Sims, as his 10-day just ended and he will apparently rejoin the Iowa Energy Thursday night.

This is the 24th call-up of the D-League season.