ORLANDO — Former Ohio Bobcats basketball standout Brandon Hunter, collapsed while doing hot yoga and died Tuesday, officials and loved ones said.
Hunter, who also had stints with the Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic, and a long career in Europe, was 42.
The Magic organization and Ohio University announced his passing on Tuesday. The Cincinnati native was inducted into the Kermit Blosser Ohio Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022.
"We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Brandon Hunter," head men's basketball coach Jeff Boals said. "Brandon was a phenomenal player at Ohio who went on to have a great pro career. He was up on campus last year, with his son, for his well-deserved induction into the Ohio University Athletics Hall of Fame. Brandon was a great ambassador for Ohio, a great teammate, a great competitor, and a great family man. Brandon had an infectious personality that touched many people along his journey and will be truly missed. We are thinking about and praying for his wife Mary and three children during this time."
A four-year letter winner, Hunter played for the men's basketball team from 1999-03. He earned All-MAC Freshman Team honors in 2000 and was a three-time All-MAC First Team honoree (2001-03).
Hunter holds several records, including rebounds per game in both the MAC and the NCAA (12.6). He also made the MAC All-Tournament Team twice in 2001 and 2003.
He leads the Ohio program in free throws made (561), free throws attempted (923) and rebounds (1,103).
Hunter currently sits fifth in the program for career points scored (2,012), 10th in scoring average (16.9), fourth in field goals made (706), sixth in field goal attempts (1,385), seventh in field goal percentage (minimum: 300 FG; .510) and fourth in games started (118).
Hunter still holds many top spots on Ohio's individual season records as well. He's seventh in points (2002-03; 614) and ninth in scoring average (2002-03; 21.5). His performance in the 2002-03 season put him second in free throws made (199) and first in free throw attempts (335), breaking the records he set during the 2000-01 season. Hunter is also fourth overall in rebounds (2002-03, 378).
His career 1,103 rebounds and 2,012 points allowed him to join the exclusive 2,000-point, 1,000-rebound club.
Hunter was selected by the Boston Celtics as the 56th overall pick in the second round of the 2003 NBA draft.
More information regarding a celebration on life and plans to honor Hunter will be announced when the information comes available.
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