Yeah. I think you're going a bit overboard here with the Hunter man love. He was a really good player and defender at times. He is definitely not in the same class as Toure defensively.Tyrese Hunter played his absolute ass off for Iowa State. He was Big 12 freshman of the year (and deserved so), and single handily won us an NCAA tournament. He went balls out on defense and bought into TJ's culture from day 1. He was a 4 star recruit and absolutely lived up to every ounce of it, and was factually a key reason for us winning 24 games. He was as good of a defender as a freshman as we have ever had (that includes Toure, who Hunter was objectively better as a freshman than). And Tyrese did not have a senior leader mentor (like Monte, like Toure, etc.). He had to learn on the fly.
The kid didn't complain. He lost both his parents young and had a tough upbringing, and got offered a bag when we weren't prepared AT ALL for NIL. I don't blame him 1 freaking bit.
It is beyond weird, petty, etc. for Cyclone fans to sh*t on him. No one has to love him forever but he did everything anyone could have asked for a freshman, including 110% effort. TJ would take a Hunter in every class, with that level of athletism and toughness.
Toure is a bigger, stronger player with better length. Toure can lock down 1-3. Hunter was always limited by his horrible jumper and his height. He could get to the lane but had a hard time finishing among the tall trees.
And I don't think he lived up to his 4* rating simply because he never was a real threat from 3, and was inconsistent in the mid-range in addition to his struggles finishing around the rim. He never really took a huge step forward in his game after his freshman year.
I have no animosity towards the guy, but the devotion some people have for him here is odd to say the least. And for all the people who claim he got this insane amount of cheddar? Who knows? But Texas' ROI wasn't exactly great with him.
He was a good player for us, but Lipsey was much better IMO.