RJ Hunter and the No. 2: A Brief, Forgotten Chapter in Houston Rockets Jersey History

The tapestry of an NBA franchise is woven not just from the threads of its legends, but from the fleeting moments of those who passed through almost unnoticed. The history of jersey numbers tells this full story. For the Houston Rockets, a franchise boasting seven retired numbers hanging from the rafters in honor of icons like Hakeem Olajuwon and Yao Ming, the journey through 52 different worn digits reveals hundreds of these transient tales. Today, we focus on one such thread: the No. 2, a number carried by 18 different Rockets players. And in the summer of 2018, that number was briefly worn by a shooter whose NBA story is defined by a single, legendary college moment: RJ Hunter.

The No. 2 in Houston: A Jersey of Transition and Trial

Before delving into Hunter’s brief tenure, it’s crucial to understand the legacy of the number he wore. In Houston Rockets jersey history, No. 2 has rarely been a digit of long-term stability. It is a number of journeymen, prospects, and players seeking a foothold. From early 1970s players like Larry Siegfried to 2000s guards like John Lucas III and Aaron Brooks (in his second stint), the No. 2 has been a temporary home. It’s a number that symbolizes the relentless churn of an NBA roster—the search for the right piece, often through short-term contracts and training camp invites. This context perfectly frames the arrival and departure of RJ Hunter, a player whose potential was once broadcast on a national stage, yet whose professional career became a quiet search for a permanent address.

From March Madness Hero to NBA Nomad

RJ Hunter did not arrive in Houston as an unknown commodity. Far from it. At Georgia State, playing for his father, coach Ron Hunter, he authored one of the most iconic moments in NCAA Tournament history. In the 2015 first round, with his father coaching from a stool after tearing his Achilles celebrating the conference title, Hunter drilled a deep, game-winning three-pointer against Baylor, sending the Panthers to the next round and his father tumbling off his stool in euphoria. The moment was pure sports magic. It cemented his name in college lore and made him a first-round draft pick (28th overall) by the Boston Celtics later that year.

His NBA journey, however, proved challenging. As a prototypical shooting guard with a sweet stroke, he struggled to find consistent minutes and shooting rhythm in Boston’s deep system. After parts of two seasons with the Celtics and a brief stint with the Chicago Bulls, Hunter was fighting to stay in the league. When the Houston Rockets, then a perennial contender under Mike D’Antoni, offered a chance in 2018, it represented a critical opportunity. The Rockets’ pace-and-space, three-point-heavy offense seemed, on paper, to be an ideal fit for a shooter like Hunter.

Key Facts About RJ Hunter’s Pre-Houston Career:

• Draft Pedigree: Selected 28th overall in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Boston Celtics.
• College Legend: His game-winning three for Georgia State against Baylor is an all-time NCAA Tournament highlight.
• Positional Profile: A 6-foot-5 guard known primarily as a catch-and-shoot threat with deep range.
• NBA Struggle: Played 45 total games for Boston and Chicago, averaging 3.2 points on 35.7% shooting.

The Summer of 2018: A Rocket’s Fizzle

RJ Hunter’s chapter in Houston Rockets jersey history is among the shortest. He signed with the team in August 2018, a low-risk, high-reward flyer by General Manager Daryl Morey. The Rockets, coming off a franchise-record 65-win season and a heartbreaking Western Conference Finals loss to Golden State, were in “win-now” mode. Their roster was top-heavy with stars James Harden and Chris Paul, and every end-of-bench spot was a fiercely contested battle for a role player who could contribute immediately.

For Hunter, the fit was logical but the timing was tough. Houston’s system demanded not just shooting, but defensive switchability and instinct—areas where Hunter was still developing. Furthermore, the Rockets’ wing rotation, while seeking depth, was crowded with established veterans and players on guaranteed contracts. Hunter’s opportunity likely hinged on torching the nets during the preseason and training camp. While specific summer league or preseason stats from his time are now buried, the outcome tells the story: Hunter was waived by the Rockets in October 2018, before the regular season began. His tenure with the team lasted roughly two months, a footnote in the media guide and a brief entry in the ledger of players who wore No. 2.

Expert Analysis: The “What If” of a Specialist in a Specialist’s Era

From a roster construction perspective, Hunter’s release was not surprising. The 2018-19 Rockets were all-in on a championship, leaving little room for project players. However, his career arc is a fascinating case study in the evolution of the NBA role player. Hunter entered the league as a specialist—a shooter. In today’s game, that skill is more valued than ever, but the baseline requirement has skyrocketed. You can no longer just shoot. You must defend multiple positions, make quick decisions, and be a reliable system player.

Hunter’s challenge was that his defining skill—shooting—never translated at an elite NBA level (he shot 30.4% from three in his career). Without that anchoring strength, the other areas of his game weren’t enough to secure a rotation spot. His story contrasts sharply with that of a player like Rockets’ guard Ben McLemore, who years later would sign with Houston and find a niche as a movement shooter in their system. Hunter was, in a sense, a player whose archetype arrived just as he was exiting, a victim of both his own stalled development and the immense pressure to contribute immediately on a contending team.

Legacy and Conclusion: A Permanent Place in the Ledger

So, what is the legacy of RJ Hunter as a Houston Rocket? In the tangible sense, it is minimal. No game-winning shots, no memorable regular-season moments. He exists in the franchise’s numerical history as the 13th of 18 players to wear No. 2, a name sandwiched between others who had longer or more impactful tenures.

But his story is vital to the complete narrative that projects like this Rockets Wire jersey history seek to tell. The history of a franchise isn’t just the summit; it’s the entire mountain, including the loose stones that briefly formed part of its base. Hunter’s tenure reminds us of the razor-thin margins between staying in the league and falling out of it, and how even a perfect schematic fit can be undone by timing and circumstance. His No. 2 Rockets jersey is a collector’s item of the most obscure variety, representing a dream deferred and a “what could have been” had that college shooting magic consistently manifested in the pros.

As the Rockets continue to cycle through players and numbers, the No. 2 will undoubtedly be worn again. Future fans will look at the list of names attached to it and may pause at “RJ Hunter.” For those who know, it will evoke not a Rockets memory, but a reminder of a March moment so bright it promised an NBA future that, for a brief summer in Houston, flickered one last time before fading away. And that, in its own way, is a history worth preserving.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.

Image: CC licensed via recruiting.army.mil