Hunter Sallis
View on WikipediaHunter Amon Sallis (born March 26, 2003) is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
Key Information
High school career
[edit]Sallis did not start on his middle school basketball team but earned a spot on the varsity team as a freshman at Millard North High School in Omaha, Nebraska.[1] He was nicknamed "Bambi" due to his lack of coordination at the time.[2] As a senior, Sallis averaged 22.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game, leading Millard North to its first Class A state title in 2021.[3][4] He finished with 1,819 career points, the third-most in Class A history, behind only Andre Woolridge and Erick Strickland.[5] He was named to the rosters for the McDonald's All-American Game, Jordan Brand Classic and Nike Hoop Summit.[6] Additionally, he was named the Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year.[7]
Recruiting
[edit]Sallis was rated a five-star recruit by ESPN and 247Sports, and a four-star recruit by Rivals. He was the first five-star basketball recruit in Nebraska history.[8] On March 26, 2021, he committed to playing college basketball for Gonzaga over offers from North Carolina and Creighton.[9] He became the highest-ranked recruit in program history until Chet Holmgren committed a month later.[10]
| Name | Hometown | School | Height | Weight | Commit date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hunter Sallis PG |
Omaha, NE | Millard North (NE) | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | Mar 26, 2021 | |
| Recruit ratings: Rivals: | ||||||
| Overall recruit ranking: Rivals: 36 247Sports: 9 ESPN: 16 | ||||||
Sources:
| ||||||
College career
[edit]Sallis averaged 4.3 points, 2.0 rebounds per game as a freshman at Gonzaga.[11] As a sophomore, Sallis averaged 4.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.[12]
After two seasons at Gonzaga, he transferred to Wake Forest.[13] On November 29, 2023, Sallis scored 24 points and 4 assists in a 82-71 win against Florida.[14] On December 30, 2023, Sallis scored 20 points and 9 rebounds in a 86-63 victory over Virginia Tech.[15] On January 2, 2024, Sallis scored 21 points and 3 assists in a 84-78 win over Boston College.[16] On January 13, 2024, Sallis scored 21 points and 9 rebounds in a 66-47 win against Virginia.[17] On February 3, 2024, Sallis had 24 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds in a 99-70 win over Syracuse.[18] On February 10, 2024, Sallis scored a career-high 33 points and 6 rebounds in a 83-79 victory against NC State.[19] On February 24, 2024, Sallis scored 29 points and 6 rebounds in a 83-79 win over Duke.[20] On February 26, 2024, Sallis earned Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) player of the week honors after averaging 23.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.[21]
Professional career
[edit]On June 26, 2025 after being undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, Sallis signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.[22]
Career statistics
[edit]| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
College
[edit]| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | Gonzaga | 32 | 0 | 13.6 | .564 | .263 | .708 | 2.0 | .6 | .6 | .2 | 4.3 |
| 2022–23 | Gonzaga | 37 | 0 | 16.8 | .466 | .256 | .780 | 2.2 | 1.4 | .6 | .2 | 4.5 |
| 2023–24 | Wake Forest | 34 | 34 | 35.4 | .487 | .405 | .783 | 4.1 | 2.5 | 1.1 | .6 | 18.0 |
| 2024–25 | Wake Forest | 32 | 32 | 35.9 | .457 | .277 | .804 | 5.1 | 2.8 | 1.2 | .5 | 18.3 |
| Career | 135 | 66 | 25.3 | .479 | .333 | .787 | 3.3 | 1.8 | .9 | .4 | 11.1 | |
Personal life
[edit]Sallis' mother, Jessica Haynes, led Omaha Central High School to two Nebraska Class A state basketball titles and played for San Diego State at the college level.[23] Haynes' cousins include professional basketball players James Harden and Ron Boone.[1]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Grace, Erin (March 8, 2020). "As Hunter Sallis learns to fly, the Millard North star is on an upward trajectory in the hoops world". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
- ^ Bennett, Brian (August 28, 2020). "Recruiting notebook: The offers are pouring in for late bloomer Hunter Sallis". The Athletic. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
- ^ Roberts, Ben (March 26, 2021). "Five-star point guard Hunter Sallis picks Gonzaga. So what's next for Kentucky?". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ Powell, Ron (March 13, 2021). "Class A boys: 'We've had redemption on our minds ever since' — Sallis, Johnson lead Millard North to first state title". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ Pospisil, Stu (April 4, 2021). "Meet the 2021 All-Nebraska boys basketball team". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ Kendeigh, Andy (February 23, 2021). "Hunter Sallis named McDonald's High School All-American". KETV. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ "Hunter Sallis 2020 - 2021 Boys Basketball Player of the Year". playeroftheyear.gatorade.com. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
- ^ Paniagua, Hunter (February 4, 2021). "Millard North's Hunter Sallis a semifinalist for national player of the year". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ Meehan, Jim (March 26, 2021). "5-star guard Hunter Sallis commits to Gonzaga, becomes highest-rated recruit in program history". The Spokesman-Review. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ "Hunter Sallis, 5-star guard, becomes highest-ranked recruit in Gonzaga history". The Athletic. March 26, 2021. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
- ^ McGavic, Matthew (April 7, 2023). "Report: Louisville Showing Interest in Gonzaga Transfer Hunter Sallis". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ "Hunter Sallis – 2022-23 Men's Basketball Roster". Gonzaga Bulldogs. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "Former Gonzaga guard Hunter Sallis transfers to Wake Forest: How he fits with the program". The Athletic. April 26, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
- ^ "Sallis scores 24 points, Carr 22 and Wake Forest pulls away late to top Florida in ACC/SEC Challenge". ESPN.com. November 29, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "Sallis scores 20, leads Wake Forest over Virginia Tech 86-63". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 30, 2023. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "Andrew Carr makes a 3-pointer with 11.5 seconds left to help Wake Forest beat Boston College 84-78". ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 2, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "Sallis scores 21 points to lead Wake Forest past Virginia 66-47". ESPN. January 12, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "Sallis scores 24, white-hot Wake Forest beats Orange 99-70". ESPN. February 3, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ Thayer, Essex (February 10, 2024). "Wake Forest grits out revenge win over NC State". Blogger So Dear. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "Wake Forest edges No.8 Duke 83-79, Court storming leaves Filipowski shaken up". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 24, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "WF's Sallis, ND's Burton Claim ACC Men's Basketball Weekly Honors". Atlantic Coast Conference. February 26, 2024. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ "Sixers to sign Hunter Sallis to 2-way contract". NBC Sports Philadelphia. June 26, 2025. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
- ^ Biga, Leo Adam (March 12, 2020). "Basketball legacy binds legend, Jessica Haynes, and her basketball star, Hunter Sallis". NOISE Omaha. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
External links
[edit]Hunter Sallis
View on GrokipediaEarly life and high school
Early life
Hunter Sallis was born on March 26, 2003, in Omaha, Nebraska.[15] He grew up in a family with deep basketball roots, particularly through his mother, Jessica Haynes (now Livingston), a former Parade All-American who led Omaha Central High School to back-to-back Class A state championships from 1983 to 1985 before playing college basketball at San Diego State University; she is a second cousin to NBA player James Harden.[16][4] His father is Trevis Sallis, a former wrestler.[17] As a single parent, Haynes significantly influenced Sallis's early interest in sports by introducing him to basketball around age 6 through informal gym sessions in North Omaha.[16] Sallis has several siblings, including an older brother named Tokyo, who pursued a career in hairstyling, and sisters Jerrica Jackson, a state champion basketball player at Bellevue East High School, and Mia, a transgender athlete.[16][18] During his elementary and middle school years in Omaha, Sallis initially focused on track rather than basketball, where he did not earn a starting spot on his middle school team due to delayed physical development and team dynamics.[19][20] In 2017, his family relocated from North Omaha to West Omaha amid concerns over local gang activity, enabling him to enroll at Millard North High School for a stronger athletic and academic environment.[16]High school career
Hunter Sallis attended Millard North High School in Omaha, Nebraska, a program competing in the state's highest classification, Class A, known for its competitive basketball tradition in the Omaha metropolitan area. As a freshman during the 2017–18 season, he saw limited playing time off the bench, appearing in 22 games and averaging 12.8 points, 1.0 rebound, and 0.8 assists per game.[21] Sallis broke out as a sophomore in the 2018–19 season, emerging as a key contributor for the Mustangs with averages of 28.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game over 24 appearances, helping the team advance in the postseason.[21] His junior year in 2019–20 marked further development, as he averaged 29.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game in 29 games, serving as the primary scorer while leading Millard North to the Class A state championship game, where they finished as runners-up after a late collapse against Bellevue West.[21][22] In his senior season of 2020–21, Sallis solidified his role as the team's leader and top offensive option, averaging 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game en route to a 27–2 record.[5][23] He guided Millard North to its first Class A state championship in school history, capping the run with 25 points, five rebounds, and five assists in an 84–78 overtime victory over Bellevue West in the final.[24][25] Over his four-year career, Sallis tallied 1,819 points, ranking among Nebraska's all-time high school leaders and highlighting his growth into a dominant guard.[26]Recruiting
Hunter Sallis emerged as one of the top prospects in the 2021 high school basketball recruiting class, ranked No. 15 overall by the Recruiting Services Consensus Index (RSCI).[8] He was rated No. 13 in ESPN's national rankings and No. 6 overall in the 247Sports Composite, where he was also the No. 2 combo guard.[27][6] These rankings reflected his rapid rise as a versatile 6-foot-5 guard known for his scoring ability, athleticism, and playmaking potential. Sallis began receiving scholarship offers during his junior year at Millard North High School in Omaha, Nebraska, starting with programs like Iowa State and Creighton in early 2019.[17] By mid-2020, his list expanded to include blue-chip schools such as Kansas, Gonzaga, North Carolina, UCLA, Kentucky, and Louisville, among others like Alabama, Arkansas, and Nebraska.[28][29] In August 2020, he narrowed his choices to a top 12 that featured Gonzaga, Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina, UCLA, Creighton, Iowa State, Nebraska, Iowa, Louisville, Alabama, and Arkansas.[30] By November 2020, he further reduced it to a final eight: Gonzaga, Kentucky, Kansas, North Carolina, UCLA, Creighton, Iowa State, and Nebraska.[31] Due to COVID-19 restrictions, Sallis's official visits were limited, with his only one occurring at Gonzaga in January 2020, where he met head coach Mark Few and observed practices.[32] He took unofficial visits to Creighton, Kansas, and Iowa State, but pandemic rules prevented trips to other finalists like Kentucky and North Carolina.[33] On March 26, 2021—his 18th birthday—Sallis announced his verbal commitment to Gonzaga, selecting the Bulldogs over finalists including Kentucky and Kansas.[27] He cited the program's fast-paced style, development opportunities for guards, and his prior comfort from the visit as key factors, noting, "I feel like it was the right fit because I had already gotten down there on an official visit and I felt comfortable with the coaches."[29] Sallis signed his National Letter of Intent on April 15, 2021, becoming Gonzaga's highest-rated recruit in program history per 247Sports.[34] No significant de-commitment rumors surfaced post-announcement, and final evaluations affirmed his status as a five-star talent.[35]College career
Gonzaga Bulldogs (2021–2023)
Hunter Sallis joined the Gonzaga Bulldogs as a highly touted freshman in the 2021–22 season, where he primarily came off the bench in 32 games, averaging 13.6 minutes per contest. He contributed 4.3 points and 2.0 rebounds per game, shooting an efficient 56.4% from the field but struggling from three-point range at 26.3%. His role was limited behind established guards like Andrew Nembhard and Rasir Bolton, but he showed flashes of potential, including a season-high 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting against Alcorn State in December 2021. In the NCAA Tournament, as part of the No. 1 overall seed that advanced to the Sweet 16, Sallis provided solid energy off the bench, scoring 5 points with 2 rebounds and a block in the first-round win over Georgia State, though his minutes dipped to just 3 in the second round against Memphis.[8][5][36] As a sophomore in 2022–23, Sallis saw a slight increase in playing time, appearing in all 37 games for the Bulldogs while averaging 16.7 minutes, 4.5 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. His field goal percentage dropped to 46.6%, with three-point accuracy at 25.6%, reflecting ongoing challenges with consistency and perimeter shooting amid competition from veterans like Drew Timme and Nolan Hickman for touches and minutes. Notable performances included a season-high 13 points in 17 minutes during a win over San Francisco in February 2023, and he notched a career-high 7 assists against Portland earlier that month. In the NCAA Tournament, where Gonzaga earned a No. 3 seed but lost in the second round to Purdue, Sallis averaged 4.5 points and 2.5 rebounds across two games, highlighted by 5 points and 5 rebounds in the first-round win over Grand Canyon.[8][5][37][38] Over his two seasons at Gonzaga, Sallis played in 69 games without a start, averaging 15.3 minutes, 4.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.0 assist per game, with career shooting splits of 51.2% from the field, 25.9% from three, and 75.0% from the free-throw line. He helped the Bulldogs secure West Coast Conference regular-season titles both years (13–1 in 2021–22 and 14–0 in 2022–23) and automatic bids to the NCAA Tournament, where the team posted a 28–4 record in his freshman year and 31–6 in his sophomore campaign. Despite the team's success, Sallis's development was hampered by a deep rotation, leading to inconsistent opportunities. On March 31, 2023, following Gonzaga's second-round exit, he entered the NCAA transfer portal, citing a desire for a more prominent role after initially indicating he would return for his junior year.[8][39][40][41]Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2023–2025)
After entering the transfer portal following his sophomore season at Gonzaga, Hunter Sallis committed to Wake Forest on April 26, 2023, bringing two years of eligibility to head coach Steve Forbes' program.[42] This addition aligned with Forbes' emphasis on acquiring experienced transfers to revitalize the Demon Deacons, who had posted a 17-15 record the prior year, contributing to an improved 21-14 mark in Sallis's debut season.[43] In his junior year (2023–24), Sallis emerged as a full-time starter, leading the team in scoring with averages of 18.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game across 34 appearances while shooting 48.7% from the field and 40.5% from three-point range.[8] He notched a career-high 33 points in an 83-79 victory over NC State on February 10, 2024, showcasing his scoring efficiency with 8-of-11 field goals and 5-of-6 from beyond the arc, and added 29 points in an 83-79 upset win over Duke on February 24, 2024.[44] Sallis's contributions helped Wake Forest secure a bid to the National Invitation Tournament, where the Demon Deacons advanced to the second round before a 72-66 loss to Georgia.[45][46][47] Sallis returned for his senior season (2024–25), again anchoring the offense with 18.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in 32 starts, though his three-point shooting regressed to 27.7% on increased volume, earning First-Team All-ACC honors for the second straight year—the first Demon Deacon to do so since Tim Duncan.[8][48] He delivered key performances in ACC play, including a 30-point outing in an 80-67 non-conference win over Stanford on January 15, 2025, and consistent 20-plus point efforts against conference foes like Miami. The Demon Deacons finished 21-11 overall and 13-7 in the ACC, earning an NIT invitation that the program declined to prioritize future development.[49][50][51] Across two seasons at Wake Forest, Sallis tallied 1,198 points in 66 games for a career average of 18.1 points per game, with overall shooting of 47.2% from the field and 34.3% from three-point range, while his assist numbers rose from 2.5 to 2.8 per game, reflecting an evolution into a more versatile playmaker beyond pure scoring.[8][9] His Gonzaga tenure provided a solid foundational base for this development into a two-time First-Team All-ACC performer.[52]Professional career
Philadelphia 76ers (2025–present)
After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft on June 26, Sallis signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers on July 1.[53] During the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, he appeared in five games for the 76ers, averaging 5.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in 25.4 minutes per game.[53] Sallis made his NBA debut on October 27, 2025, in a 136-124 win over the Orlando Magic, logging one minute without recording a point.[54] Through his first three appearances in the 2025–26 season, he averaged 0.7 points, 0.3 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in 2.0 minutes per game, primarily coming off the bench behind guards like Tyrese Maxey.[12] On November 8, 2025, Sallis was assigned to the 76ers' G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats, where he made his debut against the Westchester Knicks, scoring 15 points with 5 rebounds and 5 assists in 33.8 minutes.[53] As a rookie providing bench depth, Sallis has emphasized improving his defensive tenacity and developing into a 3-and-D wing.[55] As of November 17, 2025, Sallis has played in three NBA games without a start and three G League contests, including 19 points against the Greensboro Swarm on November 13.[54][53][14]Career statistics and achievements
College statistics
Hunter Sallis compiled his college statistics over four seasons, playing sparingly as a reserve at Gonzaga before emerging as a starter and leading scorer at Wake Forest.[8]Season-by-Season Per-Game Averages
| Season | School | Class | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021–22 | Gonzaga | FR | 32 | 0 | 13.6 | .564 | .263 | .708 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 4.3 |
| 2022–23 | Gonzaga | SO | 37 | 0 | 16.7 | .466 | .256 | .780 | 2.2 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 4.5 |
| 2023–24 | Wake Forest | JR | 34 | 34 | 35.4 | .487 | .405 | .783 | 4.1 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 18.0 |
| 2024–25 | Wake Forest | SR | 32 | 32 | 35.9 | .457 | .277 | .804 | 5.1 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 18.3 |
Wake Forest Conference Splits (Per Game)
At Wake Forest, Sallis performed strongly in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play compared to non-conference games, particularly in his junior year where he shot over 44% from beyond the arc in league matchups.| Season | Split | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023–24 | ACC | 20 | 20 | 35.2 | .506 | .442 | .806 | 5.0 | 2.8 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 18.5 |
| 2023–24 | Non-Conference | 14 | 14 | 35.7 | .463 | .351 | .754 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 17.4 |
| 2024–25 | ACC | 20 | 20 | 35.8 | .471 | .287 | .777 | 5.5 | 2.6 | 1.1 | 0.6 | 18.1 |
| 2024–25 | Non-Conference | 12 | 12 | 36.2 | .433 | .263 | .850 | 4.3 | 3.2 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 18.8 |
NBA statistics
As a rookie for the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2025–26 NBA season, Hunter Sallis has appeared in three regular-season games through November 17, 2025, primarily in limited garbage-time minutes off the bench.[1] His per-game averages reflect minimal usage, with perfect shooting efficiency on his lone field goal attempt.[1]| Season | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025–26 | PHI | 3 | 0 | 2.3 | 100.0 | — | — | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 |