Athletes learn to swim to honor fallen friend
August 14, 2014
Nicholls eyeballing turnaround in Southland
August 21, 2014
Nicholls State University standout forward Fred Hunter made the most of his first opportunity at professional hoops, establishing himself as one of the top post players in Israel.
Now, Hunter is hungry for another opportunity to showcase his God-given talents to the rest of the world.
The former dominant Colonel said he’s currently resting in New Orleans in hopes of quickly finding a new professional team for the upcoming season.
Hunter deserves the rest he’s getting after averaging 15.6 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game for Kiryat Tivon – a professional team in Israel.
Hunter’s team didn’t enjoy much success in the win/loss column, finishing just 10-16 on the season, but Hunter was easily one of the top statistical post players within the league, which is known for its basketball talent.
“I’ve been back here (in New Orleans) since May when I got back from Israel,” Hunter said. “The competition (out there) is good. You’re playing against somebody good every night. The game is faster, because there is a 24-second shot clock, instead of 35 like we have in college.”
The professional statistics for Hunter may be a surprise to some who are not familiar with Hunter’s game.
But to those in the Tri-parish area, Hunter averaging nearly a double-double per game is not a shock at all. That’s because during his time in Thibodaux, the 6-foot, 5-inch, 240-pound terror wrecked Southland Conference defenses, averaging more than 10 points per game in all four seasons of his career.
Hunter’s breakout season at Nicholls came as a junior in 2010-11 when he averaged 15.8 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, playing alongside fellow professional player Anatoly Bose, who is currently making an impact in Kazakhstan for BC Astana.
But Hunter tore his ACL at the end of that junior season, which cast doubt into some about whether or not professional basketball would be in the cards for the Denton, Texas native.
After taking a redshirt season in 2011-12, Hunter worked on both his knee and his body, losing 20-plus pounds, which enabled him to be more nimble on the floor.
With his more slight frame, Hunter returned to the floor in 2012-13, his senior season. He feasted on opponents, averaging 19.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. Hunter posted those numbers while shooting 56.7 percent from the field.
At the time, Nicholls coach J.P. Piper said Hunter was among the best players in the entire Southland Conference – a statement the coach made because of Hunter’s versatility and ability to score efficiently both inside and outside within a game.
“Fred is so gifted. He’s such a joy and a pleasure to coach,” Piper said during Hunter’s senior year. “He has this rare ability to impact a game in so many ways. He can eat up space in the paint and be a force down there. He’s worked so hard and added an outside game to his arsenal. He’s a force. He’s such a strong-willed young man, and he’s just a terrific young player.”
After graduating from Nicholls, Hunter said he did like all other outgoing college players with professional aspirations – he played the waiting game.
After speaking with his agent and fielding interest from a few teams, Hunter signed with Israel and started his career.
Hunter was one of just two Americans on the team – former Vanderbilt player Charles Hinkle joined him in the lineup.
The former Colonel made his pro debut on Oct. 15, 2013 in a 94-86 victory over Hasharon. In that game, Hunter scored 11 points and pulled down seven rebounds.
Hunter said the biggest adjustment wasn’t on the floor, but was off it. He said learning to adapt to a new country, culture and way of life took a little bit of getting used to.
“It’s different when you first get there adjusting to the way another country lives and their culture,” Hunter said. “But all-in-all, it’s not too bad being away.”
Hunter quickly added that the downtime in between games and the lack of homework/studying is both a blessing and a curse, as well.
“The only times it gets bad is when you are bored and you start thinking too much,” Hunter said. “Then it’ll hit you that you’re out here alone and you’re away from the people you care about the most.”
But Hunter adjusted to the new lifestyle and thrived, posting big-time numbers for his professional team.
Now, he said his focus is on resting his body and working on his game. Hunter said arguably the biggest blessing he’s had along the way has been his injured knee, which hasn’t given him many complications after his initial operation.
“My knee has been great,” Hunter said. “There is going to be some pain from time-to-time with any surgery, but nothing that has stopped me from playing.”
So with less pain and more opportunity to work to get better, Hunter said he will be a gym nerd in the coming weeks to try and grow his talent before his next opportunity surfaces.
The standout forward said he doesn’t know where in the world he’ll be in the near future, but he relishes the opportunity, no matter where it presents itself.
“My biggest goal is to become a better player every year,” Hunter said. “I want to play as long as I can with no regrets when I can no longer play.”
