The O-Hawk is now literally a Hawk.

Othello Hunter is now is the NBA, at least for now. Hunter signed a contract with the Atlanta Hawks on Friday that at least assures him of making it to training camp.

Hunter was once a JUCO who transferred into Ohio State for his final two years and averaged 9.9 points and 6.5 rebounds last season. He went undrafted in June and then chose to play in the NBA summer league with the Hawks in July. The Hawks saw enough to sign him to a contract and he is guaranteed at least $221,057 and will make $442,114 if he is on the Hawks’ roster Dec. 15.

Hunter was not featured in Ohio State’s offense that settled too often to run set plays instead of taking advantage of Othello’s athleticism and run the floor more. Hunter told the Dispatch this:

“I’m not going to put down Ohio State because we tried to (play) up and down (the court), but at times we had to run set plays…In the NBA, everything is much faster … (and) I feel better. I’m better at going up and down than in set plays.”

This is just the first step for Hunter in his attempt to play in the NBA. He will have to prove his worth and make the final roster later this year to fulfill his dream.