After leaving Kentucky as a starter, junior guard Treasure Hunt looked for a change of scenery and a chance to show the country the player that she is.
While attending high school in Chatanooga, Tennessee, many regarded Hunt as one of the best prospects in the 2020 class. ESPN ranked Hunt No. 28 prospect in her class, and she had offers from just about every prominent women's basketball program. She was named to both the 2020 Jordan Brand Classic and McDonald’s All-American games.
But being a five-star prospect is not as easy and glamorous as everyone thinks.
"It was hard (because) I had to appeal to everyone's expectations," Hunt said. "I have some bad games and I had a lot of hate from my name from that but other than that it was good because I was invited to camps and all that stuff."
With this decorated resume, she decided to attend the University of Kentucky, one of the premier women’s teams in the country.
After two seasons as a Wildcat, Hunt decided she wanted to fill a larger role on a team to showcase her special talent.
"Coach (Natasha) A(dair) was the reason I transferred here. She's like a mom to me and I just love (her) for that," Hunt said.
Adair said Hunt brings a smooth game and versatility to the Sun Devils. As a 6-foot-2 guard, she plays above her opponents but can also consistently knock down threes and explode against taller defenders while also being able to finish through and around contact at the rim.
"I bring a lot of confidence and energy," Hunt said.
With this change of scenery and new opportunity, Hunt has a big goal in mind for herself.
"My goal is to bring out the high school me," Hunt said. "I felt like I was trapped (during) my first two years of college basketball. I couldn't really do what I really wanted to do and I feel like it's coming out now."
Hunt was a hot commodity when she listed her name in the transfer portal. ASU assistant coach Mykala Walker was excited to see Hunt's name in the portal just a few months ago.
“We've kind of been watching Treasure since we were at Georgetown. We should start seven years ago when she was a young kid in high school. When we went to Delaware, (we) would have loved to get a shot at her but obviously, she was gonna go top five in the country and somewhere big time,” Walker said.
The coaches notice the special talent they have in Hunt and are thrilled with what she brings to the table in terms of being a basketball player and leader.
"First of all, her confidence is like no one," Walker said. "She knows what she can do on the court and she does that aggressively. She does what she's supposed to do and is very consistent in that. She really knows the game of basketball, so she'll speak up when it's time to help her teammates. I love that about her."
Adair said not only does Hunt lead with her voice and have the confidence in herself to do so, but she is also selfless and embarks on what it means to be a part of the culture that has been built.
“I think that the really good part of it is she's so selfless. She doesn't want all the notoriety," Adair said. "She is very team-first and that was one of the reasons why she chose to come here because we talk more about our team as we talk more about our family and I just think it gives her an opportunity to grow it, just build that bond with her team."
Edited by Kathryn Field, David Rodish and Luke Chatham.
Reach the reporter at alkalmba@asu.edu and sstaple5@asu.eduand follow @adokalm32 on Twitter.
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Addison Kalmbach is a reporter for The State Press Sports desk. He has previously worked for Detroit City FC and PHOENIX Magazine.
