From Staff Reports

According to NBA insiders, former Virginia star De’Andre Hunter will miss the rest of the season with an eye injury that will require surgery.

The 28-year-old Hunter, one of the driving forces behind UVA’s 2019 National Championship, suffered an eye injury in only his second game as a Sacramento King after the club had acquired him before the trade deadline. Hunter missed the team’s three games before the All-Star break because of inflammation of the iris in his left eye.

Hunter attempted to come back, participating in Wednesday’s entire practice, but missed Thursday’s game against Orlando. The club has announced he will miss the final 25 games of the season for the Kings, who have the worst record in the NBA at 12-45.

Hunter became the third Kings player whose season has ended, joining Zach LaVine (hand surgery) and Domantas Sabonis (knee surgery).

The former UVA star, who made $23.3 million this season, is due to make $24.9 million next season. He has played in 45 games this season, averaging 13.7 points and 4.1 rebounds in 26 minutes per game, shooting 41.5 from the field, 30.5 from the arc and 86.7 from the free-throw line.