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Former NBA forward and Ohio Bobcats standout Brandon Hunter has died at the age of 42, Ohio men's basketball coach Jeff Boals announced on his X account Tuesday (September 12).
"Sad day for Bobcat Nation. Brandon Hunter, Gone way too soon. One of the best to ever put on the green and white. #RIP," Boals wrote.
Hunter was a three-time All-MAC First Team selection from 2001 to 2003, as well as an All-Mid-American Conference Freshman Team selection in 2000, during his collegiate career. The Cincinnati native was selected by the Boston Celtics in the second-round of the 2003 NBA Draft at No. 56 overall and averaged 3.5 points and 3.3 rebounds during his rookie season.
Hunter was left unprotected by the Celtics and selected by the Charlotte Bobcats during their 2004 NBA Expansion Draft, but never played for the team, instead being traded to the Orlando Magic for Keith Bogans on November 1, 2004. The power forward averaged 3.1 points and 2.2 rebounds in 31 games for the Magic during the 2004-05 season, appearing in his final NBA game on April 20, 2005 and recording 4 points and 3 rebounds in a 98-93 loss to the Miami Heat.
Hunter signed with the Milwaukee Bucks the following offseason, but was waived by the team the following month. The forward then had a stint with the Sioux Falls Skyforce, a member of the Continental Basketball Association at the time, before spending the majority of his remaining professional basketball career playing overseas.