Shaw University- an HBCU in Division II’s Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) -has Amir Hinton, one of the best players you’ve never heard of. The 6-foot-5 two guard from Philadelphia has been lighting up the CIAA to the tune of 29.4 ppg on an efficient 48.8 percent from the floor. Not just a scorer he also averages 4.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists per contents.
He led Shaw to the Finals of the CIAA conference tournament but they would come up short, losing 77-66 to Virginia State University.
Hinton, the CIAA Player of the Year, declared for the 2019 NBA Draft on Thursday when he spoke with Johnathan Givony of ESPN , saying : “”I think the timing is perfect for me. “I will be hiring an agent. I am ready. I am going to try and be a lottery pick. He also added, “Some scouts have told me I am a top-three guard in this class.”
The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie is not one who shares that view:
Though he obviously has to contend with the stigma of coming from a smaller school and facing lesser competition, Hinton hopes to be invited to May’s NBA Draft Combine to be able to show what he can do against other pro prospects.
“Getting invited to Chicago is one of my goals,” Hinton said. “That’s a perfect place to get exposure, go in and do what I do. I want to play against the pros.”
