View source for Brandon Hunter

{{Short description|American basketball player (1980–2023)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Brandon Hunter
| image = Brandon Hunter.jpg
| caption = Hunter with [[S.S. Basket Napoli|Napoli]] in 2006
| position =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 7
| weight_lb = 266
| birth_date = {{birth date|1980|11|24}}
| birth_place = [[Cincinnati, Ohio]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2023|09|12|1980|11|24}}
| death_place = [[Orlando, Florida]], U.S.
| high_school = [[Withrow High School|Withrow]] (Cincinnati, Ohio)
| college = [[Ohio Bobcats men's basketball|Ohio]] (1999–2003)
| draft_year = 2003
| draft_round = 2
| draft_pick = 56
| draft_team = [[Boston Celtics]]
| career_start = 2003
| career_end = 2013
| career_position = [[Power forward (basketball)|Power forward]]
| career_number = 56, 34
| years1 = {{nbay|2003|full=y}}
| team1 = [[Boston Celtics]]
| years2 = {{nbay|2004|full=y}}
| team2 = [[Orlando Magic]] 
| years3 = 2005
| team3 = [[Sioux Falls Skyforce]]
| years4 = 2006
| team4 = [[Panathinaikos B.C.|Panathinaikos]]
| years5 = 2006
| team5 = [[S.S. Basket Napoli|Carpisa Napoli]]
| years6 = 2006–2007
| team6 = [[Pallacanestro Don Bosco Livorno|Livorno]]
| years7 = 2007–2008
| team7 = [[Pallacanestro Biella|Angelico Biella]]
| years8 = 2008
| team8 = [[Capitanes de Arecibo]]
| years9 = 2008–2009
| team9 = [[Sutor Basket Montegranaro|Premiata Montegranaro]]
| years10 = 2009–2010
| team10 = [[Hapoel Jerusalem B.C.|Hapoel Jerusalem]]
| years11 = 2010–2011
| team11 = [[Aliağa Petkim]]
| years12 = 2011
| team12 = [[BK Ventspils|Ventspils]]
| years13 = 2011–2012
| team13 = [[BBC Bayreuth]]
| years14 = 2012–2013
| team14 = [[Hapoel Gilboa Galil]]
| years15 = 2013
| team15 = [[Orléans Loiret Basket|Entente Orléanaise]]
| years16 = 2013
| team16 = [[ALM Évreux Basket]]
| years17 = 2013
| team17 = [[Club Atlético Aguada]]
| highlights =
* [[List of NCAA Division I men's basketball season rebounding leaders|NCAA rebounding leader]] (2003)
* 3× First-team [[Mid-American Conference|All-MAC]] (2001–2003)
* [[Mid-American Conference|MAC]] All-Freshman Team (2000)
| medaltemplates =
}}

'''Brandon Hunter''' (November 24, 1980 – September 12, 2023) was an American professional [[basketball]] player in the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA).

After a [[college basketball]] career with the [[Ohio Bobcats men's basketball|Ohio Bobcats]], leading the [[NCAA Division I|NCAA]] in rebounding in [[2002–03 NCAA Division I men's basketball season|2002–03]], he was selected by the [[Boston Celtics]] in the second round of the [[2003 NBA draft]]. After playing one season apiece for the Celtics and the [[Orlando Magic]] in the NBA, he started a journeyman playing career, mostly in Europe.

== High school career ==
Hunter attended [[Withrow High School]] in his hometown of [[Cincinnati]]. With the Tigers he averaged 13 points and 11 rebounds as they reached the state semifinals during his junior year.
He committed to [[Ohio Bobcats men's basketball|Ohio]], playing in the [[Mid-American Conference]] (MAC) of the [[NCAA Division I]], prior to his senior year.

In 2017, Brandon was inducted into the Withrow Athletic Hall of Fame with [[Xavier Musketeers men's basketball|Xavier]] product and NBA standout [[Tyrone Hill]], Horace Pumphrey (football), Joe Brefeld ([[baseball]], basketball, [[American football|football]]) and Skyler Willis ([[volleyball]], [[Track and field|track]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wcpo.com/news/insider/where-are-they-now-catching-up-with-former-withrow-ohio-university-star-brandon-hunter|title=Where Are They Now: Withrow's Brandon Hunter|date=February 16, 2017}}</ref>

== College career ==
Hunter ranked third for scoring (11.3 ppg) and second in rebounds (6.2 rpg) during his [[1999–2000 Ohio Bobcats men's basketball team|freshman year]] in 1999–2000, leading to a selection to the MAC All-Freshman Team.<ref name=Ohio>[http://www.nba.com/draft2003/profiles/HunterBrandon.html "Prospect profile: Brandon Hunter."]''[[National Basketball Association|NBA]]''. Retrieved on June 9, 2015.</ref>

Playing more than nearly 33 minutes per game (first for the team) during his [[2000–01 Ohio Bobcats men's basketball team|sophomore year]], he finished in the conference top five for scoring (18.1 ppg) and rebounding (9.4 rpg, 23rd in nation). Good performances in the [[2001 MAC men's basketball tournament|MAC 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.<ref name=Ohio />

His [[2001–02 Ohio Bobcats men's basketball team|junior 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 the [[NBA 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",<ref>[http://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/051402aaa.html "Brandon Hunter declares early intentions for NBA Draft."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151210214409/http://www.ohiobobcats.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/051402aaa.html |date=December 10, 2015 }}''[[Ohio Bobcats]]'', May 14, 2002. Retrieved on June 9, 2015.</ref> which he did later.

Hunter reached his college career peak [[2002–03 Ohio Bobcats men's basketball team|as 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 Bobcat [[Gary Trent]], he also led his team in scoring and rebounding for the third season in a row.<ref name=Ohio />

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).<ref>[http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ohio/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2014-15/prospectus/prospectus.pdf "2014–15 men's basketball – History and records."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226031928/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/ohio/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/2014-15/prospectus/prospectus.pdf |date=February 26, 2015 }}''[[Ohio Bobcats]]''. Retrieved on June 9, 2015.</ref>

== Professional career ==
=== NBA ===
Hunter was selected as a second round draft choice (56th overall) by the [[Boston Celtics]] in the [[2003 NBA draft]]. He played in the [[Reebok 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.<ref>[http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/hunter_030728.html "Celtics sign second-round pick Hunter."]''[[Boston Celtics]]'', July 28, 2003. Retrieved on June 9, 2015.</ref>

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 the [[2004 NBA Playoffs#.281.29 Indiana Pacers vs. .288.29 Boston Celtics|playoff series]] against the [[Indiana Pacers]], who swept the Celtics in four games.

Hunter was left unprotected by the Celtics and was selected by the [[Charlotte Bobcats]] in the [[2004 NBA expansion draft]] on June 22, 2004. He didn't play a season game for the Bobcats as he was traded to the [[Orlando Magic]] for [[Keith Bogans]] on November 1, 2004.<ref>[http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/171158/Small-Swap-Between-Magic-and-Bobcats "Small Swap Between Magic and Bobcats."]''[[Yahoo!]] via [[RealGM]]'', November 1, 2004. Retrieved on June 9, 2015.</ref> 
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 the [[Miami Heat]] where he recorded 4 points and 3 rebounds.

Hunter was signed by the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] as a free-agent in September 2005 but was waived a month later.
After a stint with the [[Sioux Falls Skyforce]] of the [[Continental Basketball Association]] Hunter moved overseas.

Brandon was then signed by the [[Cleveland 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 the [[New Jersey Nets]].

=== International ===
The American joined [[Panathinaikos B.C.|Panathinaikos]] of the [[Greek Basket League]] in 2006, playing in two league games and two [[Euroleague]] games, after a hand injury in one of the latter games, he was released.<ref name=Pana>Caratenuto, Angelo. [http://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/2006/03/17/hunter-un-duro-con-il-cuore.html?refresh_ce "Hunter, a hard man with a heart is Napoli's last buy."], ''[[la Repubblica]]'', March 17, 2006. Retrieved on June 9, 2015.{{in lang|it}}</ref>

Hunter then joined [[S.S. Basket Napoli|Carpisa Napoli]] of the Italian [[Lega Basket Serie A|Serie A]] in March 2006.<ref name=Pana />

Returning to the U.S. after the end of the season, he was signed by the [[Cleveland Cavaliers]] on October 3, 2006, playing in the NBA Summer League before being released two weeks later.

Hunter then returned to Italy, signing with  [[Pallacanestro Don Bosco Livorno|TDShop.it Livorno]] where he played for the [[2006–07 Lega Basket Serie A|2006–07 season]] as Livorno finished last.

After a 2007 Summer League participation for the [[New Jersey Nets]] yielded no contract, he joined his third Serie A team, [[Pallacanestro Biella|Angelico Biella]] where he played the whole Serie A season.

Hunter joined [[Capitanes de Arecibo]] of the Puerto Rican [[Baloncesto Superior Nacional]] later in 2008, leaving in May over disagreements due to him attending tryouts in the U.S.,<ref>[http://www.primerahora.com/deportes/baloncesto/nota/loscapitanesdespidieronahunter-194907/ "The Capitanes release Hunter."], ''[[Primera Hora (Puerto Rico)|Primera Hora]]'', May 28, 2008. Retrieved on June 9, 2015.{{in lang|es}}</ref> he then played in the Summer League for the [[New York Knicks]].

Hunter returned to Italy for the fourth consecutive year, this time with [[Sutor Basket Montegranaro|Premiata Montegranaro]], he finished the [[2008–09 Lega Basket Serie A|2008–09 season]] as the league's best rebounder.

Hunter joined [[Hapoel Jerusalem B.C.|Hapoel Jerusalem]] of the [[Israeli Basketball Super League]] for the [[2009–10 Israeli Basketball Super League|2009–10 season]], with Hapoel reaching the [[2009–10 Israeli Final Four|Final Four]], whilst they also reached Europe's second tier [[Eurocup Basketball 2009–10 quarterfinals|Eurocup quarterfinals]], with Hunter contributing two week MVP performances, in January,<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20151210181329/http://www.eurocupbasketball.com/eurocup/news/i/64570/week-5-mvp-brandon-hunter-hapoel-jerusalem "Week 5 MVP: Brandon Hunter, Hapoel Jerusalem."]''[[Eurocup Basketball|Eurocup]]'', January 6, 2010. Retrieved on June 9, 2015.</ref> and March 2010.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20151210212151/http://www.eurocupbasketball.com/eurocup/news/i/68883/quarterfinals-game-1-mvp-brandon-hunter-hapoel-jerusalem "Quarterfinals, Game 1 MVP: Brandon Hunter, Hapoel Jerusalem."]''[[Eurocup Basketball|Eurocup]]'', March 25, 2010. Retrieved on June 9, 2015.</ref>

Hunter joined [[Aliağa Petkim]] of the [[Turkish Basketball League]], playing part of 2010–11 there before finishing the season with Latvians [[BK Ventspils]].

In [[2011–12 Basketball Bundesliga|2011–2012]] he played with German side [[BBC Bayreuth]] in the [[Basketball Bundesliga]].

Returning to Israel, he joined [[Hapoel Gilboa Galil]], playing there until January 2013, when he joined French team [[Orléans Loiret Basket]] in the [[LNB Pro A|Pro A]] as an injury replacement player.<ref>[http://www.orleansloiretbasket.fr/Ress_2708/Club/Actualites-Communiques/Brandon-Hunter.html "Brandon Hunter."], ''[[Orléans Loiret Basket]]'', January 29, 2013. Retrieved on June 9, 2015.{{in lang|fr}}</ref>
He stayed until April 2013, again signing as an injury replacement for French team [[ALM Évreux Basket]], of the second division [[LNB Pro B|Pro B]].<ref>[http://www.alm-evreux-basket.com/pro-b/actualites.php?article=1304 "Brandon Hunter replaces Wood."], ''[[ALM Évreux Basket]]'', April 8, 2013. Retrieved on June 9, 2015.{{in lang|fr}}</ref>

A stint with Uruguayan champion [[Club Atlético Aguada]] of the [[Liga Uruguaya de Basketball]] from August to November 2013 was his last playing experience.

== Coaching career ==
Hunter coached in the Cincinnati area with the private coaching service [[CoachUp]].<ref>[http://www.coachup.com/coaches/brandonh-7 www.coachup.com/coaches/brandonh-7]</ref>

== Personal life ==
As of June 2015, Hunter worked as a [[real estate broker]],<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.cbws.com/Associate/TeamProfile.aspx?TeamID=52 |title= Team profile – The Hunter and Savage Group| publisher= [[Coldwell Banker]] West Shell| website= cbws.com| date= | access-date= June 9, 2015}}</ref> he also worked as an NBPA and FIBA certified sports agent.<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.kmgsports.com/?page_id=430 | title= KMG sports management executive team| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20150609170457/http://www.kmgsports.com/?page_id=430 |archivedate=June 9, 2015 | website= kmgsports.com| publisher= KMG Sports Management| access-date= June 9, 2015}}</ref> As of June 2021, Hunter founded the full service sports management company Hunter Athlete Management.

Hunter held an endorsement contract with the basketball brand [[AND1]].

Hunter died on September 12, 2023, at the age of 42.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ex-NBA Player Brandon Hunter Dead At 42 |url=https://www.tmz.com/2023/09/12/ex-nba-player-brandon-hunter-dead-42/ |date=September 12, 2023 |website=TMZ.com |language=en| access-date= September 18, 2023}}</ref> It was reported that Hunter was performing [[hot yoga]] at an [[Orlando, Florida]] yoga studio when he collapsed.<ref>{{cite news| url= https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/former-nba-player-brandon-hunter-collapses-dies-age-42-rcna104821 |title= Former NBA player Brandon Hunter collapses during hot yoga, dies at age 42| website= nbcnews.com| date= September 13, 2023| first= David K. | last= Li| agency= | access-date= September 18, 2023}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
{{NBA player statistics legend}}

===NBA===
Source<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/huntebr01.html|title=Brandon Hunter NBA stats|website=[[Basketball Reference]]|publisher=Sports Reference, LLC|accessdate=September 13, 2023}}</ref>

====Regular season====
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| align="left" | {{nbay|2003}}
| align="left" | [[2003–04 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| '''36''' || '''12''' || '''11.3''' || .457 || .000 || .442 || '''3.3''' || '''.5''' || '''.4''' || .0 || '''3.5'''
|-
| align="left" | {{nbay|2004}}
| align="left" | [[2004–05 Orlando Magic season|Orlando]]
| 31 || 0 || 7.2 || '''.507''' || &ndash; || '''.538''' || 2.2 || .1 || .1 || '''.2''' || 3.1
|- class="sortbottom"
| align="center" colspan="2"| Career
| 67 || 12 || 9.4 || .476 || .000 || .488 || 2.8 || .3 || .3 || .1 || 3.3
{{S-end}}

====Playoffs====
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| align="left" | [[2004 NBA playoffs|2004]]
| align="left" | [[2003–04 Boston Celtics season|Boston]]
| 3 || 0 || 3.3 || 1.000 || &ndash; || &ndash; || 1.0 || .3 || .0 || .3 || .7
{{S-end}}

==See also==
* [[List of NCAA Division I men's basketball season rebounding leaders]]
* [[List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 2000 points and 1000 rebounds]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{Basketballstats |nba= 2599 |bbr= h/huntebr01 }}
*[http://basketball.realgm.com/player/Brandon-Hunter/Summary/481 RealGM profile] Retrieved on June 9, 2015
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304203238/http://www.lnb.fr/fr/Pro-A/200006/Joueurs/A22050/Hunter-Brandon Ligue Nationale de Basket profile] Retrieved on June 9, 2015 {{in lang|fr}}
*[https://www.tblstat.net/player/1699/1011 Turkish Basketball League profile] Retrieved on June 9, 2015
*[http://www.basket.co.il/PlayerPage.asp?PlayerNumber=21&TeamId=745&cYear=2010&cView=2&lang=en Israeli Basketball Super League profile] Retrieved on June 9, 2015
*[http://web.legabasket.it/player/HUN-BRA-80/ Lega Basket Serie A profile] Retrieved on June 9, 2015 {{in lang|it}}

{{Lega Basket Serie A rebounding leader}}
{{2003 NBA draft}}
{{NCAA Division I men's basketball rebounding champion}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hunter, Brandon}}
[[Category:1980 births]]
[[Category:2023 deaths]]
[[Category:Aliağa Petkim basketball players]]
[[Category:ALM Évreux Basket players]]
[[Category:American expatriate basketball people in France]]
[[Category:American expatriate basketball people in Germany]]
[[Category:American expatriate basketball people in Greece]]
[[Category:American expatriate basketball people in Israel]]
[[Category:American expatriate basketball people in Italy]]
[[Category:American expatriate basketball people in Latvia]]
[[Category:American expatriate basketball people in Turkey]]
[[Category:American expatriate basketball people in Uruguay]]
[[Category:American men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Basket Livorno players]]
[[Category:S.S. Basket Napoli players]]
[[Category:Basketball players from Cincinnati]]
[[Category:BK Ventspils players]]
[[Category:Boston Celtics draft picks]]
[[Category:Boston Celtics players]]
[[Category:Capitanes de Arecibo players]]
[[Category:Charlotte Bobcats expansion draft picks]]
[[Category:Hapoel Gilboa Galil players]]
[[Category:Hapoel Jerusalem B.C. players]]
[[Category:Israeli Basketball Premier League players]]
[[Category:Lega Basket Serie A players]]
[[Category:Medi Bayreuth players]]
[[Category:Ohio Bobcats men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Orlando Magic players]]
[[Category:Orléans Loiret Basket players]]
[[Category:Pallacanestro Biella players]]
[[Category:Panathinaikos B.C. players]]
[[Category:Power forwards]]
[[Category:Sioux Falls Skyforce (CBA) players]]
[[Category:Sutor Basket Montegranaro players]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]