Kevin Huerter
The sharpshooter who stretches the floor and brings smooth scoring to the Hawks' offense.
Kevin Joseph Huerter ( HUR-tər; born August 27, 1998), nicknamed "Red Velvet", is an American professional basketball player for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Maryland Terrapins and was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 19th overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft. Known for his shooting, Huerter was voted to the All-Rookie Second Team at the end of the 2018–19 season and signed a four-year, $65 million rookie contract extension with the Hawks on October 18, 2021.
- position
- Shooting Guard
- draft_year
- 2018
- college
- University of Maryland
- jersey_number
- 20
- status
- Active
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Huerter earned a starting position as a freshman at Maryland, averaging 9.3 points and 4.9 rebounds per game. Following his freshman season, he was selected to the United States team for the 2017 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, where the team finished third. As a sophomore, Huerter increased his production, scoring 14.8 points and averaging 5 rebounds per game, earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. After declaring for the 2018 NBA draft, he was selected with the nineteenth overall pick by the Atlanta Hawks. On December 31, 2018, Huerter's first 20-point game came against the Indiana Pacers, during which he scored 22 points in a 116–108 loss. On January 11, 2019, Huerter scored a season-high 29 points against the Philadelphia 76ers in a 123–121 victory. In game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers, Huerter scored a playoff career-high 27 points, to lead the Hawks to their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2015.
In Their Own Story
The arena lights hummed above State Farm Arena as Kevin Huerter caught a quick pass on the wing. The defense had collapsed to stop the drive, leaving him with a split second of open space. With practiced ease, he rose into his shot, the ball arcing high against the rafters before swishing through the net. It was another moment of pure geometry and rhythm, a reminder of why the Hawks rely on his steady hand when the offense needs to breathe.
Reader's Guide
Kevin Huerter operates primarily as a shooting guard, tasked with spacing the floor for Atlanta's primary ball-handlers. His key strength lies in his three-point shooting and ability to score efficiently from beyond the arc. In terms of team strategy, Huerter fits perfectly into an offense that values motion and open shots. He does not need the ball in his hands constantly but thrives when he can cut, receive a pass, and release quickly. His defensive effort has also improved, allowing him to guard multiple positions effectively. For fans watching the current season, Huerter's role is defined by consistency. Whether starting or coming off the bench, he provides a reliable scoring punch that keeps defenses honest. His presence ensures that the Hawks can stretch any opponent, making it difficult for them to pack the paint.
Did You Know?
- Huerter is nicknamed "Red Velvet".
- He played on the baseball team in high school and won the Class AA state championship in 2016 with future MLB pitcher Ian Anderson.
- Huerter was named Mr. New York Basketball as a senior in high school.
- His father played college basketball for Siena College, and his brother has also played for them.
- Huerter's Babe Ruth League team finished third at the 2013 14U World Series.