Georgia State Panthers guard RJ Hunter named Sun Belt Player of the Year

Georgia State Panthers guard R.J. Hunter (22) looks to drive past George Mason Patriots guard Sherrod Wright (10) during the first half at Patriot Center. Mandatory Credit: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

It has been a story book season for Ron Hunter and the Georgia State Panthers basketball program, and that hard work was honored with a high-level individual award on Tuesday afternoon.

Sophomore shooting guard RJ Hunter, who happens to be the head coach’s son, has been named as the 2014 Sun Belt Player of the Year, and he is highly deserving of the honor. The 6-foot-5 guard has been tremendous in leading Georgia State to the regular season conference title, and his statistics speak for themselves with 18.5 points per game (on 45% from the floor and more than 40% from 3-point distance), 4.6 rebounds per contest, and 1.9 steals per game.

Hunter was a high-major recruit that ended up with the Panthers under unique circumstances, but his play has been utterly tremendous this season, and it is a blessing to the program that he was able to get to Atlanta. GSU has their work cut out for them in order to pursue an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament as the Sun Belt champion, but with Hunter (and Hunter) at the helm, they are in great position.