 Hunter withNapoli in 2006 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1980-11-24)November 24, 1980 Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | September 12, 2023(2023-09-12) (aged 42) Orlando, Florida, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) |
| Listed weight | 266 lb (121 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Withrow (Cincinnati, Ohio) |
| College | Ohio (1999–2003) |
| NBA draft | 2003: 2nd round, 56th overall pick |
| Drafted by | Boston Celtics |
| Playing career | 2003–2013 |
| Position | Power forward |
| Number | 56, 34 |
| Career history | |
| 2003–2004 | Boston Celtics |
| 2004–2005 | Orlando Magic |
| 2005 | Sioux Falls Skyforce |
| 2006 | Panathinaikos |
| 2006 | Carpisa Napoli |
| 2006–2007 | Livorno |
| 2007–2008 | Angelico Biella |
| 2008 | Capitanes de Arecibo |
| 2008–2009 | Premiata Montegranaro |
| 2009–2010 | Hapoel Jerusalem |
| 2010–2011 | Aliağa Petkim |
| 2011 | Ventspils |
| 2011–2012 | BBC Bayreuth |
| 2012–2013 | Hapoel Gilboa Galil |
| 2013 | Entente Orléanaise |
| 2013 | ALM Évreux Basket |
| 2013 | Club Atlético Aguada |
| Career highlights | |
| |
Stats at NBA.com  | |
| Stats atBasketball Reference | |
Brandon Hunter (November 24, 1980 – September 12, 2023) was an American professionalbasketball player in theNational Basketball Association (NBA).
After acollege basketball career with theOhio Bobcats, leading theNCAA in rebounding in2002–03, he was selected by theBoston Celtics in the second round of the2003 NBA draft. After playing one season apiece for the Celtics and theOrlando Magic in the NBA, he started a journeyman playing career, mostly in Europe.
Hunter attendedWithrow High School in his hometown ofCincinnati. With the Tigers he averaged 13 points and 11 rebounds as they reached the state semifinals during his junior year.He committed toOhio, playing in theMid-American Conference (MAC) of theNCAA Division I, prior to his senior year.
In 2017, Brandon was inducted into the Withrow Athletic Hall of Fame withXavier product and NBA standoutTyrone Hill, Horace Pumphrey (football), Joe Brefeld (baseball, basketball,football) and Skyler Willis (volleyball,track).[1]
Hunter ranked third for scoring (11.3 ppg) and second in rebounds (6.2 rpg) during hisfreshman year in 1999–2000, leading to a selection to the MAC All-Freshman Team.[2]
Playing more than nearly 33 minutes per game (first for the team) during hissophomore year, he finished in the conference top five for scoring (18.1 ppg) and rebounding (9.4 rpg, 23rd in nation). Good performances in theMAC tournament, including a record 32 free throw attempts in three games, led to a selection to the All-Tournament Team, also making the 2001 All-MAC First Team.[2]
Hisjunior season provided similar numbers, again leading the team in minutes, scoring (17.3 ppg) and rebounding (9.1 rpg, 41st in nation), with a successive All-MAC First Team selection.He declared as an early entry candidate for theNBA draft in May 2002 but he did not hire an agent – retaining his eligibility – and declared he would withdraw if he wasn't considered "first-round material",[3] which he did later.
Hunter reached his college career peakas a senior, leading the whole NCAA Division I in 2002–03 with 12.6 rebounds on average.Hunter added 21.5 points, 2.6 assists, 1.2 blocks and 0.8 steals on average, also leading the nation in doubles-doubles (24). Four MAC Player of the Week nominations would lead to his third consecutive All-MAC First Team selection, on par with former BobcatGary Trent, he also led his team in scoring and rebounding for the third season in a row.[2]
His career 1,103 rebounds and 2,012 points allowed him to join the exclusive 2,000-point, 1,000-rebound club.As of 2015, he ranked as the best rebounder in Ohio University history, the fifth-best scorer, joint ninth-best shot blocker (87), also ranking first in free throws made (561 out of 923, also first).[4]
Hunter was selected as a second round draft choice (56th overall) by theBoston Celtics in the2003 NBA draft. He played in theReebok Pro Summer League with the Celtics, averaging 16.3 points (fifth for the league, second for the Celtics) and leading the Celtics with 8.2 rebounds per game (third overall, ahead of Udonis Haslem and LeBron James) in 32.8 minutes per game (first for the Celtics), being named to the tournament first team alongside Devin Brown of the San Antonio Spurs and Donny Marshall of the New Jersey Nets.This led to him signing a contract with the Celtics in July 2003.[5]
Hunter played his first NBA game on January 9, 2004, wearing the number 56 as a symbolic nod to his draft position. He played 36 games for the Celtics in his rookie season, averaging 3.5 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in his rookie season. He played in 3 of the 4 games of theplayoff series against theIndiana Pacers, who swept the Celtics in four games.
Hunter was left unprotected by the Celtics and was selected by theCharlotte Bobcats in the2004 NBA expansion draft on June 22, 2004. He didn't play a season game for the Bobcats as he was traded to theOrlando Magic forKeith Bogans on November 1, 2004.[6] In Orlando he averaged 3.1 points and 2.2 rebounds on average in 31 games.
Hunter's final NBA game ended up being during his time with the Magic. His final game was played on April 20, 2005, in a 93–98 loss to theMiami Heat where he recorded 4 points and 3 rebounds.
Hunter was signed by theMilwaukee Bucks as a free-agent in September 2005 but was waived a month later.After a stint with theSioux Falls Skyforce of theContinental Basketball Association Hunter moved overseas.
Brandon was then signed by theCleveland Cavaliers on October 3, 2006, joining LeBron James and playing in the NBA Summer League before being released two weeks later.
In 2007, he returned to the US and played in the 2007 Summer League for theNew Jersey Nets.
The American joinedPanathinaikos of theGreek Basket League in 2006, playing in two league games and twoEuroleague games, after a hand injury in one of the latter games, he was released.[7]
Hunter then joinedCarpisa Napoli of the ItalianSerie A in March 2006.[7]
Returning to the U.S. after the end of the season, he was signed by theCleveland Cavaliers on October 3, 2006, playing in the NBA Summer League before being released two weeks later.
Hunter then returned to Italy, signing withTDShop.it Livorno where he played for the2006–07 season as Livorno finished last.
After a 2007 Summer League participation for theNew Jersey Nets yielded no contract, he joined his third Serie A team,Angelico Biella where he played the whole Serie A season.
Hunter joinedCapitanes de Arecibo of the Puerto RicanBaloncesto Superior Nacional later in 2008, leaving in May over disagreements due to him attending tryouts in the U.S.,[8] he then played in the Summer League for theNew York Knicks.
Hunter returned to Italy for the fourth consecutive year, this time withPremiata Montegranaro, he finished the2008–09 season as the league's best rebounder.
Hunter joinedHapoel Jerusalem of theIsraeli Basketball Super League for the2009–10 season, with Hapoel reaching theFinal Four, whilst they also reached Europe's second tierEurocup quarterfinals, with Hunter contributing two week MVP performances, in January,[9] and March 2010.[10]
Hunter joinedAliağa Petkim of theTurkish Basketball League, playing part of 2010–11 there before finishing the season with LatviansBK Ventspils.
In2011–2012 he played with German sideBBC Bayreuth in theBasketball Bundesliga.
Returning to Israel, he joinedHapoel Gilboa Galil, playing there until January 2013, when he joined French teamOrléans Loiret Basket in thePro A as an injury replacement player.[11]He stayed until April 2013, again signing as an injury replacement for French teamALM Évreux Basket, of the second divisionPro B.[12]
A stint with Uruguayan championClub Atlético Aguada of theLiga Uruguaya de Basketball from August to November 2013 was his last playing experience.
Hunter coached in the Cincinnati area with the private coaching serviceCoachUp.[13]
As of June 2015, Hunter worked as areal estate broker,[14] he also worked as an NBPA and FIBA certified sports agent.[15] As of June 2021, Hunter founded the full service sports management company Hunter Athlete Management.
Hunter held an endorsement contract with the basketball brandAND1.
Hunter died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 42.[16] It was reported that Hunter was performinghot yoga at anOrlando, Florida yoga studio when he collapsed.[17]
| GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
| FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
| RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
| BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
Source[18]
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003–04 | Boston | 36 | 12 | 11.3 | .457 | .000 | .442 | 3.3 | .5 | .4 | .0 | 3.5 |
| 2004–05 | Orlando | 31 | 0 | 7.2 | .507 | – | .538 | 2.2 | .1 | .1 | .2 | 3.1 |
| Career | 67 | 12 | 9.4 | .476 | .000 | .488 | 2.8 | .3 | .3 | .1 | 3.3 | |
| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Boston | 3 | 0 | 3.3 | 1.000 | – | – | 1.0 | .3 | .0 | .3 | .7 |