Fred Hunter’s hard work on and off the court has landed him a Division I scholarship.

Fred Hunter

The Denton basketball standout signed a national letter of intent with Nicholls State on Wednesday.  

“I went on a visit down there, and I liked the campus and the players,” Hunter said. “I think I made a good decision and I am proud of myself.”

Hunter was the area’s leading scorer in Class 4A, averaging 22.2 points per game this season for Denton. He also ranked second in rebounds, averaging 12.2 per game.

Nicholls State, located in Thibodaux, La., is a member of the Southland Conference. The Colonels finished the 2007-08 season with a 10-21 overall record and 5-11 conference mark.

Hunter was selected to the TABC Academic All-State team this season, as the senior had a 3.6 GPA.

Denton basketball coach Harold Jackson said that Hunter’s academics alone could have paved his way to a university.

“He has always had the academics,” Jackson said. “If he wanted to go to college and not pick up another ball the rest of his life, his grades were good enough for him to do that.

“I think it’s a tremendous achievement for a kid to get the opportunity to further your education and still have opportunity to do something he loves.”

Hunter, who was a preseason McDonald’s All-American, visited Nicholls State about two weeks ago and made the decision to sign with the Colonels when he returned home. Hunter had committed in early April to play for Highland Community College in Kansas, but he left his options open for a Division I opportunity.

Nicholls State head coach J.P. Piper runs an offense that uses a lot of motion and features a five-out system of substituting players. Those characteristics, Jackson said, will benefit Hunter’s style of play.  

“It’s good that he will play in a system that has a lot of freedom on offense,” Jackson said. “That gives him the opportunity to use all his skills as a shooter, a ball handler and a passer.”

At 6-4, Hunter played on the post and some forward at Denton. He said he expects to play small forward in college with an opportunity to get on the court as a freshman.

Jackson said he thinks Hunter will perform well at the college level and make the transition both on and off the court.

“He just has to understand that there is a tremendous difference between high school basketball and college basketball,” Jackson said. “There is a lot more work entailed and you really have to improve on your work ethic and your mental approach to the game at the next level. And I think that comes with maturing, and I think he’ll fit in fine.”

BRAD McDONNELL can be reached at 940-566-6869. His e-mail address is bmcdonnell@dentonrc.com .