Nathaniel Robert Hinton (born June 8, 1999) is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Hustle of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Houston Cougars.

High school career

Hinton started playing basketball as a freshman for Forestview High School in Gastonia, North Carolina, before transferring to Gaston Day School in the same city. For his sophomore season, he moved to Northside Christian Academy in Charlotte, North Carolina, averaging 18 points, six rebounds and four steals per game, and led his team to the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) 2A title game.{{cite web |last1=Wertz Jr. |first1=Langston |title=Gaston Day hopes its 'Big 3' can help land rare boys' basketball state title |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article114042378.html |website=The Charlotte Observer |access-date=June 13, 2020 |date=November 10, 2016}} Hinton returned to Gaston Day for his final two years of high school.{{cite web |last1=Flagler |first1=Jack |title=Nate Hinton on returning to Gaston Day basketball: 'We know we have chemistry' |url=https://www.gastongazette.com/sports/20160713/nate-hinton-on-returning-to-gaston-day-basketball-we-know-we-have-chemistry |website=The Gaston Gazette |access-date=June 13, 2020 |date=July 13, 2016}} As a junior, he averaged a team-high 19.1 points per game, helping his team reach the NCISAA 2A semi-finals.{{cite web |last1=Wertz Jr. |first1=Langston |title=How Gaston Day point guard became weekend sensation, talk of recruiting trail |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article161864273.html |website=The Charlotte Observer |access-date=June 13, 2020 |date=July 17, 2017}}

After his junior season, Hinton led Team Loaded NC to the Adidas Gauntlet final, drawing the attention of several high-major NCAA Division I programs.{{cite web |last1=McDonald |first1=Dan |title=Hinton sees recruitment soar after strong adidas Gauntlet Finale |url=https://basketballrecruiting.rivals.com/news/hinton-sees-recruitment-soar-after-stepping-up-on-big-stage |publisher=Rivals |access-date=June 13, 2020 |date=July 20, 2017}} As a senior, he averaged 19.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.7 assists and four steals per game, helping Gaston Day to a NCISAA 2A runner-up finish. Hinton was an NCISAA 2A All-State selection and was named Gaston Gazette Player of the Year. He scored 2,217 points in his high school career.{{cite web |last1=Walker |first1=Richard |title=2018 All-Gazette basketball honors |url=https://www.gastongazette.com/sports/20180406/2018-all-gazette-basketball-honors |website=The Gaston Gazette |access-date=June 13, 2020 |date=April 6, 2018}}

=Recruiting=

Hinton was a consensus four-star recruit and committed to play college basketball for Houston. He became the top recruit to join the program under head coach Kelvin Sampson.{{cite web |last1=Duarte |first1=Joseph |title=Top recruit Nate Hinton commits to UH |url=https://www.chron.com/sports/cougars/article/Top-recruit-Nate-Hinton-commits-to-UH-12204888.php |website=Houston Chronicle |access-date=June 13, 2020 |date=September 17, 2017}}

{{College athlete recruit entry

| recruit = Nate Hinton

| position = SG

| hometown = Gastonia, NC

| highschool = Gaston Day School (NC)

| feet = 6

| inches = 6

| weight = 198

| commitdate = September 17, 2017

| scout stars =

| rivals stars = 4

| 247 stars = 4

| espn stars = 4

| espn grade = 81

}}

{{College athlete recruit end

| 40 =

| year = 2018

| rivals ref title = Houston 2018 Basketball Commitments

| scout ref title =

| espn ref title = 2018 Houston Cougars Recruiting Class

| 247 ref title =

| rivals school = houston

| 247 school =

| espn schoolid = 248

| scout overall =

| rivals overall = 127

| 247 overall = 116

| espn overall = —

| accessdate = July 9, 2020

| bball = yes

}}

College career

Hinton was the preseason Freshman of the Year in the American Athletic Conference (AAC).{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=Aaron |title=Nate Hinton leads group of Cougars' next stars |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/cougars/article/Nate-Hinton-leads-group-of-Cougars-next-stars-13689279.php |website=Houston Chronicle |access-date=June 15, 2020 |date=March 14, 2019}} On January 6, 2019, he was named AAC Freshman of the Week after recording a season-high 19 points and nine rebounds in a 90–77 win over Memphis.{{cite web |title=No. 19 Houston beats Memphis to improve to 15–0 |url=https://apnews.com/12b93d73f05e4ce985887cfec0728bd2 |work=Associated Press |access-date=June 15, 2020 |date=January 6, 2019}} On March 10, Hinton posted his first double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds in an 85–69 victory over Cincinnati, helping Houston clinch the AAC regular season title. As a freshman, he averaged 7.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game and was selected to the AAC All-Freshman Team.{{cite web |title=Nate Hinton |url=https://uhcougars.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/nate-hinton/5460 |publisher=University of Houston Athletics |access-date=June 15, 2020}}

On December 11, 2019, Hinton recorded a sophomore season-high 25 points and 10 rebounds in a 71–63 win over UT Arlington.{{cite web |last1=Duarte |first1=Joseph |title=Nate Hinton's career night lifts the University of Houston past UT Arlington |url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/cougars/article/Headline-goes-here-14900637.php |website=Houston Chronicle |access-date=June 15, 2020 |date=December 11, 2019}} He tallied career-highs and set Fertitta Center records of 16 rebounds and five steals, to go with 20 points, in a 78–63 victory over UCF on January 3, 2020.{{cite web |last1=Gardner |first1=Kris |title=Nate Hinton does everything in Houston's 78–63 win over UCF |url=https://www.thehrr.com/Houston_Cougars/mens_basketball/Write-ups/2020/1/03_Hinton_does_everything_in_win_over_UCF.html |publisher=Houston Roundball Review |access-date=June 15, 2020 |date=January 4, 2020}} As a sophomore, Hinton averaged 10.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, two assists and 1.4 steals per game, earning second-team All-AAC honors. He was also named to the NABC All-District 24 first team.{{cite news |last1=Hughes |first1=Joe |title=Former Gaston Day basketball standout declares for NBA Draft |url=https://www.gastongazette.com/sports/20200405/former-gaston-day-basketball-standout-declares-for-nba-draft |access-date=June 16, 2020 |work=The Gaston Gazette |date=April 5, 2020}} On April 5, he declared for the 2020 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.{{cite web |last1=Yanez |first1=Andy |title=Nate Hinton declares for the 2020 NBA draft but will maintain college eligibility |url=http://thedailycougar.com/2020/04/05/nate-hinton-declares-for-the-2020-nba-draft-but-will-maintain-college-eligibility/ |website=The Daily Cougar |access-date=June 15, 2020 |date=April 5, 2020}} On May 18, Hinton announced that he had hired an agent and would remain in the draft, forgoing his remaining two years of college eligibility.{{cite web |last1=Romero |first1=Jhair |title=Reports: Nate Hinton to keep name in NBA Draft, go pro |url=http://thedailycougar.com/2020/05/18/nate-hinton-nba-draft/ |website=The Daily Cougar |access-date=June 15, 2020 |date=May 18, 2020}}

Professional career

=Dallas Mavericks (2020–2021)=

After going undrafted in the 2020 NBA draft, Hinton signed a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks.{{cite web|first=Eddie|last=Sefko|title=Mavericks sign eight, including Barea, Iwundu, Burke|url=https://www.mavs.com/mavericks-sign-six-including-barea-iwundu-burke/|website=Mavs.com|date=December 1, 2020|access-date=December 1, 2020}} On February 2, 2021, it was announced Hinton would have his first assignment at the NBA G League with the Long Island Nets.{{cite web|title=Tyler Bey and Nate Hinton Transferred To Long Island Nets|url=https://longisland.gleague.nba.com/news/tyler-bey-and-nate-hinton-transferred-to-long-island-nets|website=NBA.com|date=February 2, 2021|access-date=February 2, 2021}} He then moved to the Santa Cruz Warriors. He was re-signed on August 3, 2021.{{cite web|first=Luke|last=Adams|url=https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2021/08/mavs-re-sign-nate-hinton-to-two-way-contract.html|title=Mavs Re-Sign Nate Hinton To Two-Way Contract|website=HoopsRumors.com|date=August 3, 2021|access-date=August 3, 2021}} On August 27, 2021, he was waived by the Mavericks.{{cite web|title=Dallas Mavericks waive second-year guard Nate Hinton|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2021/08/27/dallas-mavericks-waive-second-year-guard-nate-hinton/|work=The Dallas Morning News|date=August 27, 2021|access-date=August 27, 2021}}

=Indiana Pacers / Fort Wayne Mad Ants (2021–2022)=

On September 7, 2021, Hinton signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the Indiana Pacers.{{cite web|title=Pacers Sign Nate Hinton|url=https://www.google.com/s/www.nba.com/amp/pacers/news/pacers-sign-nate-hinton|website=NBA.com|date=September 7, 2021|access-date=September 7, 2021}} He subsequently joined their G League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. In 14 games, Hinton averaged 8.4 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. On December 30, he signed a 10-day contract with Indiana{{cite news|first=Dan|last=Vance|title=Pacers call up Mad Ants’ Hinton|url=https://www.wane.com/sports/mad-ants/pacers-call-up-mad-ants-hinton/|website=WANE.com|date=December 30, 2021|access-date=December 30, 2021}} and on January 9, 2022, he was reacquired by Fort Wayne.{{cite web|title=2021-22 NBA G League transactions|url=https://gleague.nba.com/transactions/|website=NBA.com|access-date=January 9, 2022}}

On April 7, 2022, the Pacers signed Hinton to a two-way contract.{{cite web|title=Pacers Sign Terry Taylor And Duane Washington, Jr.|url=https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/pacers-sign-taylor-washington-jr|website=NBA.com|date=April 7, 2022|access-date=April 7, 2022}}

=Cleveland Charge (2022–2023)=

On October 24, 2022, Hinton joined the Cleveland Charge training camp roster.{{cite web|url=https://canton.gleague.nba.com/news/charge-2022-training-camp-roster/|website=gleague.nba.com|title=Charge 2022 Training Camp Roster|date=October 24, 2022|access-date=October 24, 2022}}

=Houston Rockets / Rio Grande Valley Vipers (2023–2025)=

On August 2, 2023, Hinton signed with the Houston Rockets.{{cite web|title=Rockets Sign Five Players|url=https://www.nba.com/rockets/news/rockets-sign-five-players|website=NBA.com|date=August 2, 2023|access-date=August 2, 2023}} However, on October 21, 2023, he was waived by the Rockets,{{cite web|first=Luke|last=Adams|title=Rockets Cut Nate Hinton|url=https://www.hoopsrumors.com/2023/10/rockets-cut-nate-hinton.html|website=HoopsRumors.com|date=October 20, 2023|access-date=November 28, 2023}} but was re-signed to a two-way deal two days later.{{cite web|first=Hiren|last=Joshi|title=Rockets Sign Nate Hinton to Two-Way Contract|url=https://www.nba.com/rockets/news/rockets-sign-nate-hinton-to-two-way-contract|website=NBA.com|date=October 23, 2023|access-date=October 24, 2023}} On July 4, 2024, Hinton signed a standard contract with the Rockets,{{cite web|title=Rockets Announce Roster Moves|url=https://www.nba.com/rockets/news/rockets-announce-roster-moves|website=NBA.com|date=July 3, 2024|access-date=July 5, 2024}} but was waived on October 19.{{cite tweet|first=Jonathan|last=Feigen|title=Rockets waived Nate Hinton, Jermaine Samuels Jr. and Matt Bradley. They will leave their 15th full-contract roster spot open.|number=1847724281385378130|user=Jonathan_Feigen|date=October 19, 2024|access-date=October 20, 2024}} On October 27, he re-joined the Vipers.{{cite web|title=Vipers Announce 2024-25 Training Camp Roster|url=https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/vipers-announce-2024-25-training-camp-roster/n-6160244|website=OurSportsCentral.com|date=October 27, 2024|access-date=October 27, 2024}}

=Memphis Hustle (2025–present)=

On January 10, 2025, Hinton was traded to the Memphis Hustle.{{cite web|title=Memphis Hustle acquire Nate Hinton from Rio Grande Valley Vipers|url=https://memphis.gleague.nba.com/news/memphis-hustle-acquire-nate-hinton-from-rio-grande-valley-vipers|website=NBA.com|date=January 10, 2025|access-date=January 12, 2025}}

Career statistics

=NBA=

==Regular season==

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2020}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Dallas

| 21 || 0 || 4.4 || .357 || .211 || .700 || .4 || .4 || .3 || .1 || 2.0

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2021}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Indiana

| 2 || 0 || 1.2 || .000 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0

| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2023}}

| style="text-align:left;"| Houston

| 15 || 0 || 5.0 || .423 || .500 || .800 || 1.5 || .7 || .2 || .1 || 2.2

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 38 || 0 || 4.5 || .377 || .333 || .733 || .8 || .5 || .3 || .1 || 1.9

=College=

| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19

| style="text-align:left;"| Houston

| 37 || 1 || 19.2 || .413 || .337 || .857 || 4.4 || 1.2 || 1.0 || .1 || 7.2

| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20

| style="text-align:left;"| Houston

| 31 || 31 || 30.3 || .410 || .387 || .756 || 8.7 || 2.0 || 1.4 || .2 || 10.6

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 68 || 32 || 24.3 || .411 || .366 || .800 || 6.4 || 1.6 || 1.2 || .1 || 8.8

Personal life

Hinton's father, Dr. Benjamin Hinton, has been the pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Gastonia since March 1991. Hinton had a religious upbringing.