Brandon Hunter dead aged 42: Ex-NBA star for Boston Celtics dies suddenly as friend reveals he spoke to him ‘last week’

FORMER NBA player Brandon Hunter has died at the age of 42, according to his former basketball coach Jeff Boals.

Hunter, a former power forward, played in the NBA for two seasons with the Boston Celtics and Orlando Magic.

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His cause of death has not yet been released.

Hunter played for the Ohio Bobcats in college from 1999 to 2003.

He was coached by Boals, who announced Hunter's passing on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"RIP to a Bobcat Great," Boals wrote on Tuesday.

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"Gone way too soon."

Hunter's friend, retired NBA point guard T.J. Ford, addressed the former NBA player's passing on social media.

"We just spoke last week. Losing a lot of my friends lately," Ford said.

Hunter earned three first-team All-MAC conference selections and led the NCAA in rebounding during his senior season.

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He was selected by the Celtics in the 2003 NBA Draft.

During his two seasons in the NBA, Hunter played 67 games for Boston.

In 2004, Hunter scored a career-high 17 points in a game with the Magic.

A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Hunter also played basketball overseas.

The 6-foot-7, 266-pound athlete suited up for multiple international teams from 2006 to 2013, including Greece, Italy, and Puerto Rico.

After his basketball career, Hunter went into coaching, real estate, and sports management.

Fans were devastated to hear that he had died and tributes quickly poured in for the former NBA star.

One fan said: "Incredible player and great guy. Rest in peace."

Another wrote: "Bummer he was awesome. RIP."

And a third added: "So sorry to hear this."

The Magic also paid tribute to Hunter.

"We are terribly saddened to learn of the loss of our former teammate, Brandon Hunter," the team's communication department wrote.

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"We send our deepest condolences to the entire Hunter family."

The U.S. Sun has contacted the Orlando Police Department for comment on Hunter's death.