How Jordan Hunter has brought his energy from the bench

It has been a bitter-sweet season for Jordan Hunter.

He has missed the entire season with a foot injury but has seen his brothers and his team overcome adversity to make the NBL Hungry Jack’s Grand Final.

Back in December Hunter hurt himself at practice in Melbourne, he underwent surgery to repair a left navicular fracture.

The organisation was devastated. Hunter played extremely well the previous season, averaging nine points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks as a starting centre – Hunter was voted as the runner-up for the Most Improved Player in the NBL21 season.

Hunter admitted it’s been difficult to stay positive after the season-ending injury, but seeing his team be happy and succeed has made it easier.

“I’d be lying if I said it was easy all the time, but watching this group come together and fight for the same goal has been such a pleasure. Their success makes me happy,” Hunter said.

“It ebbs and flows. There’s a lot I would give to be out there battling with the team but that wasn’t the hand I was dealt this season.

“Our performance team, our physios, our doctors, they’ve been amazing in making sure I understand precisely how my rehab is tracking and staying positive for me. Our coaches and the players keeping me involved when I can’t be out there has been invaluable too.

“If there’s something I notice, as someone who’s a step back from the action, I’ll mention it, but largely I’m there having a great time watching these boys get after it.”

Assistant coach Kevin Lisch explained how impactful Hunter (affectionately known as Jordi), has been despite not being able to play.

“He’s great, it’s a testament to his professional attitude and the environment we have created here,” Lisch said.

“It says no matter if you’re a practice player, injured or the star guy, we’re all in this together. We all create that environment where everyone feels a part of it, everyone has a say.

“I think Jordi has epitomised that given his bad luck, but he’s worked his butt off and he’s still an integral part of this team with what he gives us on and off the court.”

Hunter didn’t travel with the team for the first half of the season while he was rehabbing his injury, he sat in a moon boot Hunter on the Kings bench for all our home games until he was healthy enough to travel.

When he was healthy enough to travel, Hunter was seen on every bench for the rest of the season. With him being especially vocal in the finals against the Illawarra Hawks and was highlighted by the broadcast in game two of the grand final against the JackJumpers in Tasmania.

Early in the third quarter Jordan Hunter was standing up and yelling out to his team, bringing the energy he usually plays with on the court from the bench.

“He’s been like that all season Pete (Hooley), this isn’t just a finals thing,” Jack Heverin said.

“He has been riding every possession all season.”

Hunter said he’s been practicing with the team fully for a few weeks now and after the grand final series he will be playing in the NBL1 North with the North Gold Cast Seahawks – helping him complete his final steps of rehabilitation.  

“The tail end of the season is a tough period to find scrimmage time,” he said.

“But the coaches have been going above and beyond to make time for me to get some play in. You have to remind your body what it is to go out and play basketball, so exercising patience as my body grows accustomed to playing again has been my main takeaway.

“It feels great to be out there again.”

To get tickets to game three of the NBL Hungry Jack’s Grand Final series at Qudos Bank Arena click here.