Bears
Bears getting familiar face back for final season of college basketball
Hunter played in 11 games for 27-10 Wisconsin and lost 91-89 to BYU in second round of NCAA Tournament
CONWAY, Ark. — Former standout guard Camren Hunter is back at Central Arkansas for his final season.
Hunter, from Bryant, Ark., played his first three seasons, 2021-22 and 2022-23 and missing the entire 2023-24 season due to injury, before transferring to Wisconsin following that season.
Hunter was named the Atlantic Sun Conference Freshman of the Year and a first-team All-ASUN selection in 2022-23 after averaging 14.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.5 steals in his first season at UCA.
Hunter had a then-career high 25 points against Bellarmine and scored in double figures 23 times out of 30 games. He shot 81.5 percent from the free-throw line.
As a sophomore, Hunter was even better, averaging a team-high 16.9 points (fifth in the ASUN), 5.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists (fifth in the ASUN) and 1.5 steals while shooting 78.6 percent from the free-throw line and making 50 three-pointers.
Hunter had seasons highs of 33 points at Queens and 28 points vs. Rider. He also had just the fourth triple-double in school history with 20 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists vs. North Alabama.
Hunter missed the entire 2023-24 season with a medical redshirt after a preseason scrimmage injury. At Wisconsin last season, he played in 11 games for a Badger team that went 27-10 and lost 91-89 to BYU in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
“I am not sure there is much more I need to say,” said UCA coach John Shulman. “Hopefully UCA fans are as excited as I am about this one. Cam had really great opportunities this time last year, while we were transitioning into our first year here and we respected his decision to explore his options. Quite frankly, he had really great opportunities this spring and I am proud that he chose us. He believes in what we are doing here and is determined to finish what he started in his home state.
“I really look forward to coaching Cam and the competitive mindset that he brings day in and day out. He knows what it takes to win and holds himself to that standard every single day, which is rare. What is even more rare, is that he will hold others to this same standard every day as well, and that is what makes him truly special.
“Cam has been around the block so to speak. He has seen college basketball for many years now and possesses knowledge that only first-hand experience can provide. We know what he does for our program and can’t wait for everyone else to see it this fall.”
