Former NBA star Brandon Hunter dies at 42

The former Boston Celtic and Orlando Magic power forward has passed away at the age of just 42.

So far there is no official cause of death.

It was Hunter’s college coach, Jeff Boals, who announced Hunter’s passing, writing on X (formerly Twitter), “RIP to a Bobcat Great, Gone way too soon.” Boals coached Hunter at the University of Ohio.

Hunter’s former team, the Orlando Magic offered their sympathy with a statement they released on X in which they say, “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.”

T.J. Ford, an ex-NBA player also offered sympathy in a post on X saying, “Lost another good brother. Rest easy my friend.”

Hunter’s career began after being selected in the second round of the 2003 NBA draft by the Celtics, playing there for a season before moving to Orlando to play for the Magic for his second season in the NBA. He also spent a year with the Miami Heat affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

After his short NBA career finished, Hunter moved to Europe where he played for many teams across the continent, including Panathinaikos and Hapoel Jerusalem.

Following his career in Europe and the NBA, Hunter set up his own sports management company called Hunter Athletes Management with the aim to help set up young players with a “strategic career plan”.