Former Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic player Brandon Hunter has died, Ohio men’s basketball coach Jeff Boals said Tuesday. He was just 42 years old.
Hunter — a standout high school hoops player in Cincinnati — was a star forward for the Bobcats, earning three first-team All-MAC conference selections and leading the NCAA in rebounding his senior season … before being taken with the 56th overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft.
He played 67 games over two seasons in the Association … scoring a career-high 17 points against the Milwaukee Bucks in 2004.
Hunter had an extensive career overseas as well … suiting up for numerous international clubs from 2006-13 in Greece, Italy, Puerto Rico and more.
Hunter got into coaching, real estate and sports management following his playing days.
“RIP to a Bobcat Great,” Boals said on Instagram minutes ago. “Gone way too soon.”
Ex-NBA point guard T.J. Ford also addressed Hunter’s passing on social media … saying, “We just spoke last week. Losing a lot of my friends lately.”
Details surrounding Hunter’s death have not been released.
RIP
