Former Orlando Magic player Brandon Hunter dead at 42

Tributes have flowed across the basketball world after a former college star and NBA player passed away far too young.

Rest in peace. Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images

Former NBA player Brandon Hunter died on Tuesday at the age of 42, the Orlando Magic announced.

The cause of death was not immediately known.

Hunter starred at Ohio University during his four-year run in college before playing two seasons in the NBA.

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He was taken in the second round of the 2003 NBA Draft by the Celtics, where Hunter averaged 3.5 points and 3.3 rebounds in 36 games before being selected by the Charlotte Bobcats next summer in the expansion draft.

He was later traded to the Magic.

Hunter smiles during a match. Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images

Hunter in action for the Magic. Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images

In Orlando, he averaged 3.1 points and 2.2 rebounds in 31 games during the 2004-05 season.

“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 Magic said in a statement.

🙏
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 @OrlandoMagicpic.twitter.com/OLs0XMjrdA

— Orlando Magic PR (@Magic_PR) September 13, 2023

A Cincinnati native, Hunter was a star forward for Ohio in college.

He was named to the All-Mid-American Conference Freshman Team in 2000 and made three consecutive appearances on the All-MAC First Team.

“We are saddened to hear about the loss of Ohio basketball legend Brandon Hunter. Our thoughts are with Brandon’s family at this time,” Ohio basketball wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

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

We just spoke last week. Losing a lot of my friends lately https://t.co/WOJOmDm9Ir

— TJ Ford (@tj_ford) September 12, 2023

Sad day for Bobcat Nation. Brandon Hunter, Gone way too soon. One of the best to ever put on the green and white. #RIPpic.twitter.com/nZFLXQMnBG

— Jeff Boals (@JeffBoals) September 12, 2023

After his two seasons in the NBA, Hunter continued his basketball career overseas in Greece, Italy, Puerto Rico, and Turkey.

He eventually returned to his hometown of Cincinnati after he finished his playing career in 2013.

Back in the United States, Hunter began a real estate and sports management company.

“I initially wanted to go into coaching,” Hunter told WCPO in 2017. “But with my background and everything that I learned about the collective bargaining agreement in the NBA and the transactions I’ve seen while living abroad, the understanding of how teams recruit and how different styles are in different countries, I decided to go into management.

“I thought it would be where I would blossom and be the best.”