De'Andre Hunter
A defensive stopper and clutch shooter whose pivotal role in a historic NCAA title run launched his steady NBA career.
Born 1997 (age 29)·American basketball player·Birthday: December 2·Generation Z
Biography
De'Andre Hunter hit a corner three-pointer in the final seconds of the 2019 National Championship game, forcing overtime and saving Virginia's season. Born in 1997, Hunter played lockdown defense at the heart of the Cavaliers' disciplined system. After a historic upset loss in the 2018 NCAA tournament, his team returned to win the title. That poise under pressure made him a top NBA draft pick. As a professional, he has carved a role as a prototypical 3-and-D wing—a reliable perimeter defender who spaces the floor and attacks closeouts.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
De'Andre was born in 1997, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When De'Andre Was Born
The biggest hits of 1997
#1 Movie
Titanic
Best Picture
Titanic
#1 TV Show
ER
De'Andre's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1997Born
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2002Started school
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2010Became a teenager
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Could drive
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2015Could vote
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2018Turned 21
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 29 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Hit a crucial three-pointer to force overtime in Virginia's win over Texas Tech in the 2019 NCAA National Championship game.
- Was named the NABC Defensive Player of the Year and First-team All-ACC in 2019.
- Was selected with the 4th overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Lakers and traded to the Atlanta Hawks.
Did You Know?
He was a high school teammate of current NBA players Cam Reddish and Brandon Slater at Friends' Central School in Philadelphia.
He redshirted his first year at Virginia after undergoing wrist surgery.
He is known for having one of the longest wingspans relative to his height among NBA wings.
“I just try to do my job, be in the right spots, and make winning plays.”
