Anderson Hunt

Anderson Hunt
Born	(1969-05-05) May 5, 1969
Occupation	Retired basketball player
Known for	Most Outstanding Player of the 1990 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament

Anderson Hunt (born May 5, 1969) is a retired American basketball athlete.

NCAA career

During his time at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), Hunt played a pivotal role for the Runnin' Rebels from 1989 to 1991. His efforts helped secure consecutive Final Four berths and culminated in the 1990 national championship. In the title game against Duke University, Hunt delivered a standout performance with 29 points, earning him the distinction of Most Outstanding Player of the event. The following year, Hunt became part of a controversy when photographs emerged showing him and teammates in a hot tub alongside sports agent Richard Perry. This incident intensified tensions among coach Jerry Tarkanian, UNLV administration, and the NCAA, ultimately contributing to Tarkanian’s resignation after the 1991–92 season. Despite his coach’s intention to groom him as a point guard and team leader, Hunt declared for the NBA Draft after completing his junior year.

Professional career

Although he enjoyed collegiate achievements, Hunt was not selected in the 1991 NBA Draft. Instead, he was chosen 25th overall in the second round of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) draft by the La Crosse Catbirds. Over three seasons competing in the CBA with teams such as the Sioux Falls Skyforce, Fort Wayne Fury, and Quad City Thunder, he averaged 11 points per game across 42 contests. Beyond domestic play, Hunt also pursued professional opportunities internationally, including stints in Turkey, Poland, and France.

Legal troubles

In October 1993, Hunt was apprehended during a traffic stop for marijuana possession and subsequently entered a guilty plea to misdemeanor charges. Nearly a decade later, in 2002, he faced allegations of attempted embezzlement related to failing to return a rental vehicle within an agreed timeframe. The court mandated restitution of $1,300 and placed him on probation.

After basketball

Following his athletic career, Hunt was employed at the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino located in Las Vegas. He is presently engaged with a youth basketball initiative supported by 4POINT4 Sports.

On November 11, 2023, UNLV honored Hunt by retiring his number 12 jersey.