Brandon Hunter, a former Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic NBA player, died at the age of 42.
Ohio men’s basketball coach Jeff Boals revealed his death on Instagram and X: ‘RIP to a Bobcat Great,’ Boals wrote. ‘He left us far too soon.’
‘We are deeply saddened to learn of the loss of our former teammate, Brandon Hunter,’ the Magic said on social media. We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the whole Hunter family.’
Ex-NBA point guard T.J. Ford also spoke about Hunter’s death, saying on his Instagram: ‘Lost another good brother. Rest easy my friend.’
A cause of death has not yet been announced. After a playing career that eventually took him outside of the NBA and into Europe, Hunter set up his own sports management company – Hunter Athletes Management.
Its website describes Hunter as having a vast network of contacts across the globe and as working closely with players to devise a ‘strategic career plan’.
After leaving the Magic in 2005, Hunter played across Europe for teams in Greece, Italy and Israel.
Hunter was born in Ohio and went to university there. He was drafted by the Celtics in 2003, selected in 56th overall in the second round – and he wore the No 56 to correlate with his NBA move.
In 2006, he was signed by the Cleveland Cavaliers – where LeBron James was playing – and played in the NBA Summer League but was released two weeks later.