Brandon Hunter during his time with the Cleveland Cavaliers.Photo:David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty
David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty
Brandon Hunter, who played for the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic, has died at the age of 42.
Ohio University’s head basketball coach Jeff Boalsbroke the news of Hunter’s deathon social media Tuesday night, writing on X (formerly known as Twitter) that it was a “Sad day for Bobcat Nation."
“Brandon Hunter, Gone way too soon,” he added. “One of the best to ever put on the green and white. #RIP.”
Boals did not provide information about how the former NBA star may have died.
Hunter had been a standout basketball player at Withrow University High School before going on to become a Bobcat with Ohio University’s men’s basketball team from 1999-2003, reportedThe Cincinnati Enquirer.
During his time there, he earned several recognitions for playing the sport including receiving the All-Mid-American Conference Freshman Team honors in 2000 and becoming a three-time All-MAC First Team honoree, addedThe Cincinnati Enquirer. During his senior year at the university, Hunter led the entire NCAA in rebounding, perFox News.
He was then traded to the Orlando Magic, where he averaged 3.1 points and 2.2 rebounds in 31 games during the 2004-2005 season.
Brandon Hunter playing for the Boston Celtics.Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty
Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty
“We are terribly saddened to learn of the loss of our former teammate, Brandon Hunter,” the Orlando Magic said in astatementcommemorating the basketball star. “We send our deepest condolences to the entire Hunter family.”
Brandon Hunter playing for the Milwaukee Bucks.Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty
Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty
“I told myself that once I was done playing, I was going to go to school for real estate and get my license no matter where I was,” Hunter told the news outlet in a profile honoring him during his induction into the Withrow Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017. Despite this, he added that he was never fully able to stray from his passion of basketball.
Brandon Hunter during his time with the Orlando Magic.Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty
Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty
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“I initially wanted to go into coaching. But with my background and everything that I learned about the collective bargaining agreement in the NBA and the transactions I’ve seen while living abroad, the understanding of how teams recruit and how different styles are in different countries, I decided to go into management. I thought it would be where I would blossom and be the best,” he said.
Hunter was inducted into Ohio University’sKermit Blosser Ohio Athletics Hall of Famelast year, perThe Cincinnati Enquirer.
source: people.com
