Kenny Hunter probably envisioned his college basketball career playing out differently than it has.
Still, the Texas Southern senior post player, whose career began at La Tech before shifting to the Tigers last year, is grateful for the journey and where it has landed him.
“It’s been a blessing. A lot of kids don’t get to play Division I basketball at the end of the day,” said Hunter, a fifth-year senior. “I started off at Tech. I had my ups and downs there. I had a good time when I was there. I feel like I got extremely better from my freshman year.
“Then coming here, coming to an HBCU, a lot of people were surprised that I made that move. But I felt like it was the best decision for me. And I’m sticking with it. It’s been going good.”
Preseason SWAC DPOY
Kenny Hunter takes pride in his defensive play. Credit: AP
Under TSU coach Johnny Jones’ guidance, the 6-foot-8 Hunter has gone from playing only center at La Tech to a versatile post player who seamlessly slides from center to power forward and has become a force in the post since arriving at TSU in 2023. He has emerged as one of the best-shot blockers and shot changers in the SWAC.
The respect he gained in the post as a first-year SWAC player last season, earned Hunter recognition as the SWAC’s Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and Preseason Second-Team All-SWAC placement along with his frontcourt partner Grayson Carter. Hunter is living up to the increased expectations through the Tigers’ first nine games this season with 11 blocked shots while ranking fourth in the SWAC in rebounding with 6.2 per game and averaging 9.9. points.
The bar has certainly been set higher, and Hunter believes he is up for it.
“It’s a lot of pressure, but I’m embracing it at the end of the day,” said Hunter, who is shooting nearly 48% from the floor. “I know God wouldn’t put too much on me that I couldn’t handle.
“So having the DPOY, all-conference and I’m up for HBCU All-Star, as well. Having that pressure is not bad at all. I embrace it. I try not to think about it and just play at the end of the day because it’s all about playing and winning games.”
TSU fans we have #1 Kenny Hunter giving us the countdown to tip November 4th vs Xavier in Cincinnati, OH ……2024-25 Season Uploading#TSUproud #texassouthernbasketball #GoTigers #BeLegendary #hbcu pic.twitter.com/1tNVeemVjR
— Texas Southern Basketball (@TSUMensHoops) November 3, 2024
While most coaches might try to downplay the preseason expectations the conference has put on Hunter, Jones sees it as a motivation that will push Hunter throughout the season.
“I think it’s exciting for him because he wants to be that,” Jones said. “I think that helps us as a team because he goes out every night wanting to impact our team on the defensive end, which is huge.
“A lot of times guys are trying to figure out how many points they can score. He is trying to figure out how he can impact the game on the defensive end and that’s a huge plus for us.”
Embracing Versatility
Credit: Amira McKoy @msamiramckoy on instagram
Hunter also embraces the more versatile role Jones wants him to fill. Thought of purely as a center during his three seasons at La Tech, Hunter is now tasked with not just banging inside but also stepping and knocking down shots from 15 feet out and defending on the perimeter.
“Coach asks a lot of me and I just take it to the chin and I go with it. I’m at the four (power forward) and then I’m at the five, I’m switching back and forth but they are both kind of the same positions. At the four you are kind of playing out on the perimeter a little bit more but I’m versatile. I can play the four and hit the jump shot and playing the five, I can bang down low.
“So whatever he asks me, I can do.”
The Johnny Jones Factor
Credit: Amira McKoy @msamiramckoy on instagram
Once Hunter decided to move on from La Tech after his coach left and the team’s best player moved on, schools like Arkansas, BYU and Murray State came calling. But the chance to play for Jones pushed TSU to the top. He saw Jones’ impact on high-level players at LSU and wanted to learn from Jones.
The experience has been everything that he hoped it would be.
“Playing under Coach Johnny Jones has been a blessing because he gets guys to the next level,” Hunter said. “He is on you, he is going to stay on you. He has guys he has coached like Ben Simmons, he has coached (Joirdon Karl Nicholas), who was here before I got here. He has coached guys who are in the league.
“I wanted to play for a guy like that, who is not only in the moment here during the season but he is trying to get you somewhere else, too.”
Kenny Hunter holds his own in the paint. Credit: AP.
Aiming for Next Level
For Hunter, it’s about getting to the next level, whether in the NBA or an overseas career. But the focus right now is having the best possible season he can have for the Tigers and himself.
“This is my fifth year in college so what I’m looking for is to have the best season I’ve ever had in basketball. I’m more experienced now. The game is kind of slowing down for me a little bit. I’m knowing my spots, I’m knowing where I need to be, I’m knowing what I have to do to help this team win. It’s just whatever I have to do to get these guys to come together. I’m a leader on this team. I know when we are down, I have to pick these guys up, `Let’s keep going. Let’s move on to the next thing.’
“It’s always the next play mentality. It’s get your head out of the clouds. The sun is going to shine again.”
KENNY HUNTER
Position: Power Forward/Center
Height: 6-8 Weight: 236 pounds
Classification: Fifth-year Senior
Major: Mass Communication
Hometown: Shreveport, La.
Stats: 9.9 points per game, 6.2 rebounds, 11 blocks, 47.6% FG
