The Cincinnati native played for the Boston Celtics, Orlando Magic and Ohio University before a long professional career abroad.
Authorities and relatives said that former NBA player Brandon Hunter, who played for the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic, died after falling ill while doing yoga on Tuesday.
Hunter, who had a long career in Europe, was 42 years old.
Magic and Hunter’s alma mater, Ohio University, announced his death on Tuesday. He was inducted into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame last year.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Brandon Hunter. Brandon was an outstanding player who had a great professional career in Ohio,” Bobcats coach Jeff Boals said in a statement.
“Brandon was a great ambassador for Ohio, a great teammate, a great competitor, and a great family man. Brandon had an infectious personality who touched many people throughout his journey and he will be truly missed,” he said.
Hunter collapsed during a yoga session at a studio in Orlando, said her mother-in-law, Carolyn Cliett.
“It was hot yoga and she did it regularly,” she said. “As far as we know, he was in good shape. We were just shocked.”
Although his NBA career was limited to 36 games for Boston in 2003–04 and 31 for Orlando in 2004–05, Hunter parlayed his overall basketball experience into a successful career as a manager, helping place players on teams overseas. manager Tim O’Shea.
A tough rebounder at 6-foot-1, Hunter led all of Division I college basketball with 12.6 rebounds per game in 2002-03. He became Ohio’s career leader in rebounding, collecting 1,103 rebounds during his four years in Athens.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, and three children, ages 5 to 15.
