The Denver Nuggets continue to bolster three-point shooting at the forward position by selecting Hunter Tyston out of Clemson University with pick #37 in the second round of the 2023 NBA Draft.
Tyson spent all five seasons of his college career at Clemson and was selected to the All-ACC Team (Atlantic Coast Conference) in his final year. He averaged 15.3 points and 9.6 rebounds and record the eleventh-most double-doubles in the nation with 16 in total. He was a particularly efficient scorer from all areas of the floor, shooting 40.8 percent from behind the arc, 57.8 percent from two-point range, 47.9 percent overall, and 83.8 percent from the charity stripe.
Nuggets' general manager Calvin Booth was busy leading up to draft night. First, he and his front office made an ultra-rare trade during the NBA Finals and acquired the 37th overall pick in the 2023 draft, a 2024 first-round pick, and a 2024 second-round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder for Denver's 2029 first-round pick.
Denver then made a secondary deal and used that 2024 first-rounder from Oklahoma City and their own second-round pick at #40 to acquire the 29th and 32nd overall picks from the Indiana Pacers.
Both deals were done to maximize Denver's title window with Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray by infusing the roster with young talent. Tyson projects as a gap-filler filler next to the stars because of his ability to space the floor and attack the glass as a forceful rebounder.
As a 40.8 percent shooter with a 6'8 stature, Tyson is precisely the type of player that can thrive in the NBA by shooting over the top of his matchups. He can generate three-point looks in a variety of ways outside of catching and shooting, relocating along the perimeter for movement three-pointers, or by setting screens and slipping into open threes out of pick-and-rolls.
Defensively, Tyson's calling card is without a doubt his rebounding. He's been described by experts as a smart defender that used his time at Clemson to develop a strong feel for defensive rotations. That'll assuredly fit in Michael Malone's defensive scheme, which alternates between multiple coverages depending upon the opponent, particularly in the postseason.
Tyson will almost immediately stretch defenses as a 6'8 stretch-four with a quick shooting stroke and high release point. Next to Jokić and Murray's lethal two-man game, and alongside proven shooters like Michael Porter Jr. and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Tyson could thrive in a simplified role where he spaces the floor and crashes the glass.
To get a better feel for his game, here are Tyson's highlights from the ACC Network.