Brandon Hunter, who played two seasons in the NBA from 2003-2005, died unexpectedly Tuesday in Orlando, Florida.
Hunter was 42. His cause of death was not disclosed.
According to reports, Hunter had been doing a hot yoga session when he collapsed.
A former star at Ohio University, where he led the NCAA in rebounding as a senior, Hunter went to the Boston Celtics in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft. After a season in Boston, he finished his NBA career with the Orlando Magic the following season.
The Magic paid tribute to their former player on Twitter.
“We are terribly saddened to learn of the loss of our former teammate, Brandon Hunter,” the statement read. “We send our deepest condolences to the entire Hunter family.”
🙏
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 DeVos family, players, coaches and staff of the @OrlandoMagic pic.twitter.com/OLs0XMjrdA
— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) September 13, 2023
The 6-7 forward finished his NBA career with averages of 3.3 points and 2.8 rebounds per game. Following his NBA career, Hunter went on to play internationally for a number of years. After his retirement, he founded a real estate company and sports management agency in his native Cincinnati.
Ohio University, which inducted Hunter into its hall of fame last year, also paid tribute after his death.
We are saddened to hear about the loss of Ohio basketball legend Brandon Hunter. Our thoughts are with Brandon’s family at this time. pic.twitter.com/tHpg3qsPzW
— Ohio Men’s Basketball (@OhioMBasketball) September 13, 2023
Hunter is survived by his wife, Mary, and three children.
Basketball fans shared their memories of Hunter and sympathies for his family.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
— brayden (@brayden71337407) September 13, 2023
Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of an Ohio Bobcat legend, Brandon Hunter. Unbelievable work ethic that made him both the first college graduate in his family and an NBA draft pick. RIP B-Hunt, you will be greatly missed.
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 https://t.co/ljN8jVqo3X
— Kevin Kuwik (@KevinKuwik) September 13, 2023
I remember him here in Biella (Italy) in the 2007/08 season, great player, one of my favourites in that year! RIP 🙏🏻 😞
— Luca Manacorda (@LucaMana82) September 13, 2023
He was a good man and a heck of a rebounder may he RIP
— manny (@thewiz42) September 13, 2023
That’s very sad. It just makes no sense for an athlete on that level to be gone that early in life. Prayers for his immediate and extended family.
— Ron Nelson (@IamRonNelsonJr1) September 13, 2023
