It's beginning to look like the best rookie big man in the NBA who didn't play college ball is Orlando Magic starting center Steven Hunter. What?You say he was at DePaul? Who knew? Of course, DePaul was so talented it really didn't need a center who can start for a team that is expected to contend for the Eastern Conference championship.


"I'm feeling more confident with each game and each practice," Hunter said after getting nine points in 14 minutes Saturday against Charlotte. "I always knew I had the talent to play at this level. I just needed that extra boost to get me over the hump."

Hunter is averaging only 4.2 points in about 12 minutes per game, but he has a regular place in the rotation and had 13 points in a big win over Midwest leader Minnesota last week.