Former NBA player Brandon Hunter has sadly died at the age of 42, his life tragically cut short in its prime – read his obituary here.
Brandon Hunter was an American basketball star for the Orlando Magic and Boston Celtics.
On September 12th 2022, Hunter’s death aged 42 was unceremoniously announced.
As many are heartbroken and search for Brandon Hunter obituary, we take a look at his life and career in the article below.
Brandon Hunter obituary
Brandon Hunter, an American professional basketball player who had a remarkable career in the NBA and overseas, has sadly died – below is his obituary.
Brandon Hunter was born on November 24, 1980, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
He grew up in a tough neighborhood, where he learned to be resilient and hard-working. Hunter developed a love for basketball at an early age, and started playing at the local YMCA.
He attended Withrow High School, where he only played two years of varsity basketball.
The future Magic star was a late bloomer, growing from 6-foot-2 to 6-foot-7 between his junior and senior year.
He quickly became a dominant force on the court, averaging 22 points and 14 rebounds per game as a senior.
Brandon Hunter led his team to the state Final Four in 1999, where they lost to Lakewood St. Edward.
That achievement saw him named the Cincinnati Enquirer Player of the Year and earned him All-State honors.
He also received several scholarship offers from Division I colleges, including Ohio University, which he chose over Cincinnati and Xavier.
Brandon Hunter enrolled at Ohio University in 1999, where he played for four seasons under coach Tim O’Shea.
He made an immediate impact as a freshman, averaging 10.8 points and 7.4 rebounds per game. His impact helped the Bobcats win the Mid-American Conference (MAC) regular-season title and reach the NCAA Tournament.
He continued to improve his game in his sophomore and junior years, earning All-MAC first-team selections in both seasons.
Hunter averaged 15.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per game as a sophomore, and 16 points and 10 rebounds per game as a junior.
Brandon Hunter definitely left his best for last at Ohio State University.
He truly exploded in senior in 2002-03, when he averaged 21.5 points and 12.6 rebounds per game.
Hunter led the nation in rebounding and double-doubles (24), while shooting 54 percent from the field.
That led to him being named the MAC Player of the Year, the MAC Tournament MVP, and an honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press.
All in all, Hunter finished his college career as the all-time leading rebounder in Ohio University history with 1,318 boards.
He also left with other records including being third in scoring with 1,986 points behind only Dave Jamerson and Gary Trent.
He is one of only two players in MAC history to record over 1,900 points and 1,300 rebounds, along with Trent.
Brandon Hunter NBA
Brandon Hunter declared for the 2003 NBA Draft after graduating from Ohio University with a degree in sports management.
The Boston Celtics selected him with the 56th overall pick in the second round. Hunter’s draft class was a legendary one, with other notable picks that year incluidng LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and many others.
He made his NBA debut on October 29, 2003, against the Miami Heat. He played in 36 games for the Celtics as a rookie, including 12 starts. He averaged 3.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game, while providing energy and toughness off the bench.
His best game came on January 31, 2004, against the Milwaukee Bucks, when he scored a career-high 17 points on 8-of-11 shooting. He also grabbed nine rebounds and blocked two shots in 28 minutes of action.
Hunter was selected by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2004 expansion draft but was traded to the Orlando Magic for Keith Bogans before playing for them. He played in 31 games for the Magic in his second season, averaging 3.1 points and 2.2 rebounds per game.
He did not play in the NBA after that season but had brief stints with the Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors during training camps and preseasons.
After his NBA career stalled, Hunter continued his basketball career overseas, where he played for several teams in different countries.
He played in Greece, Italy, Puerto Rico, France, Germany, Turkey, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
He won championships in Puerto Rico with the Capitanes de Arecibo in 2008 and in Venezuela with the Marinos de Anzoategui in 2010.
Brandon Hunter Wife and Children
This obituary of Brandon Hunter continues by taking a look at his personal life.
Brandon Hunter wife was Mary Hunter, whom he met at Ohio University. They had two children together: Andrew, born in 2008, and Tristan, born in 2014.
Hunter was a devoted father who loved spending time with his family.
He was also reportedly close to his parents, James and Brenda Hunter, who supported him throughout his basketball career. He had two brothers, James Jr. and Brian, and a sister, Brandi.
Hunter was a religious man who attended church regularly.
He was also involved in various charitable causes and community events, particularly those that supported alma mater, Ohio University, where he donated money and equipment to the basketball program.
That explains why he was mourned so much by the University community upon his demise.
After retiring from playing basketball, Hunter pursued other interests and careers.
He got into coaching, working as an assistant coach for the Cincinnati Christian University men’s basketball team in 2014. He also coached youth basketball teams and camps in his hometown.
Brandon Hunter also became a licensed real estate agent and started his own company, Hunter & Savage Group, with his business partner Dr. Rashida Savage. The company specialized in residential and commercial properties, as well as investment opportunities.
The former Magic and Celtics star also became a certified agent by the National Basketball Players Association and the president of operations for KMG Sports Management, a full-service sports agency based in Cincinnati.
He represented several professional basketball players, both domestic and international.
The late Brandon Hunter was on Instagram @focused1124
He mainly used the page to promote his work as a sports agent with very rare personal posts.
Death
Brandon Hunter died on September 12, 2023 at the very young age of 42. Brandon Hunter’s cause of his death has not been disclosed publicly.
Ohio men’s basketball coach Jeff Boals revealed the shocking news on social media.
“RIP to a Bobcat great. Gone way too soon,” Boals posted as part of his Instagram story Tuesday night.
The sudden and shocking passing of Brandon Hunter triggered multiple tributes to him for a life well lived.
The Orlando Magic released a statement saying: “We are terribly saddened to learn of the loss of our former teammate, Brandon Hunter. We send our deepest condolences to the entire Hunter family.”
The National Basketball Retired Players Association also said: “The basketball community has lost a Legend. Our hearts are with the family, friends and fans of Brandon Hunter.”
His former college coach Tim O’Shea said: “Brandon was one of the best players I ever coached. He was a great competitor who always gave everything he had on the court. He was also a great person who cared about others. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.”
His former college teammate Steve Esterkamp said: “Brandon was a great friend and a great teammate. He was always there for me when I needed him. He was one of the best players I ever played with. He had a huge heart and a huge smile. He was a joy to be around.”
His former NBA teammate Paul Pierce said: “Brandon was a tough player who always played hard. He was a good guy who always had a positive attitude. He was a part of our Celtics family and we will always remember him.”
His former Bucks teammate, T.J. Ford, also wrote on social media in reaction to the news. “We just spoke last week. Losing a lot of my friends lately.”
Brandon Hunter was an American basketball legend who had an impressive career in the NBA and overseas.
He was also a successful entrepreneur who ventured into coaching, real estate, and sports management.
He was more than just a basketball player; he was a loving husband, father, son, brother, friend, mentor, leader, philanthropist, and role model.
May he rest in peace.
Thank you for reading Brandon Hunter Obituary on Nigeriabombshell.com
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