My Top 3 Underrated Pure Hoopers of the 2024-2025 NBA Season

Good evening ladies and gentleman, happy new year! I have a question for you all..have you ever heard of the basketball term 'pure hooper'? If not, let me channel my inner Kendrick Lamar and put you up on game. A 'pure hooper' is a basketball player that just has that feel for the game. These type of players are supremely skilled and can score on all three levels of the game. Pure hoopers are comfortable in every area on the court and can thrive in any system simply off their natural ability to hoop. Think of players who are usually underrated and fly under the radar like Lou Williams, Monta Ellis, Jamal Crawford, CJ McCollum, etc. These players aren't necessarily "stars", but they're definitely respected and can drop 30 points on any given night. Of course the NBA has their fair share of pure hoopers that are actual stars such as Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, Paul George, etc. I personally enjoy watching underrated 'pure' hoopers more than the stars because they don’t have a narrative that guarantees them big contracts or endorsements, they have to survive by putting the ball in the basket and playmaking with the best of them. With that being said, let's dive into three of my favorite 'pure hoopers' who I think are underrated and deserve more recognition. Just to clarify, these are my top 3 at the moment. There are plenty of other 'pure hoopers' out there, but I wanted to highlight my personal favorites right now.

1) Tre Mann

Coming in at #1 is none other than Allen Iverson reincarnated..Tre Mann! Yes, I said it! Before Tre Mann got injured earlier in the season, he was emerging as one of the next young hoopers on the scene. He has the swag, he can shoot, playmake, and create his own shot off the dribble. Tre had games where he was scoring 20+ points per game off the bench before the injury for the Charlotte Hornets and was starting to build his fanbase for his nostalgic aura both on and off the court. From the baggy jerseys to the durag under the hat at his post-game press conferences, Tre was giving off that early 2000s feel (hence why I called him a mini Allen Iverson). Do yourself a favor and go watch some of his highlights from this year, I'm sure you'll be impressed. All in all, Tre Mann is a prime example of a 'pure hooper' and I can't wait to see him back on the court.

2) Miles "Deuce" McBride

Coming in at #2 is Deuce McBride! Listen if you aren't familiar with "Deeuuucceee" then I advise you to get familiar. Deuce is currently one of my favorite players to watch in the league. Although his minutes with the New York Knicks are limited, he’s an immediate playmaker when he hits the court. He can create his own shot off the dribble, plays solid defense, knocks down catch-and-shoot opportunities, and always brings energy that sparks the team whenever he’s in the game. He’s got the swag, and Madison Square Garden loves him. While he only averages just 9 points per game this season, consider that he’s playing alongside stars like Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges—there are only so many shots to go around. Trust me, though, do yourself a favor and watch Deuce go to work. He’s a ‘pure hooper,’ just waiting for his moment to shine. 3) Anfernee Simons

Last, but not least, coming in at #3 is Anfernee Simons. Anfernee might be a little more known than Tre Mann and Deuce McBride, but I still feel he is underrated. He's had the tough task of following in the great Damian Lillard's footsteps, but he definitely has the tools to be a top-tier scorer in the league. He can handle the ball, has elite quickness, can shoot off the dribble, and playmake for his teammates. He's in the small market of Portland, but I'm sure if he was in a big market such as Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, etc. he'd get the recognition he deserves. Anfernee is a 'pure hooper' through and through, and just like Deuce McBride, he’ll get his time to shine. This list will definitely shift as time goes on, but for now, these three are my top 'pure hoopers' in the league.