UCA transfer, former Bryant star Camren Hunter entering portal again, expresses Hoop Hogs interest again

By Kevin McPherson

LITTLE ROCK — For the second time in roughly a year, highly regarded University of Central Arkansas transfer and former Bryant star Camren Hunter has entered the transfer portal open to a wide swath of Division 1 basketball programs, including strong interest in the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Hunter (6-3 point guard) told Hogville on Friday that he’s on his way back into the transfer portal.

“Just turned my papers in, about to be in officially soon,” Hunter said.

The two-time ASUN All Conference performer did not compete in 2023-24 at UCA due to a foot injury suffered in October that has since fully healed, and it was in March 2023 when he took an unofficial visit to Arkansas after entering the portal following the ’22-23 campaign at UCA.

The Hogs, Butler, Missouri, Loyola-Chicago, and Saint Louis made up Hunter’s five finalists before he eventually committed to Butler, but he later decided to remain at UCA for his junior season instead.

Now he’s back in the portal with two seasons of immediate playing eligibility remaining.

“My interest in Arkansas is very high,” Hunter told Hogville on Friday. “Who wouldn’t have interest in going to the Hill to play for their home state school? Of course, my recruiting is wide open.”

UCA recently parted ways with head coach Anthony Boone, allowing Hunter to enter the portal sooner than the March 18 portal-entry start date for most transfer entries.

Hunter has started all 60 games in his time at UCA and is a two-time All Atlantic Sun conference (A-SUN) selection — third-team all conference in ’22-23 and freshman of the year in ’21-22.

Hunter was UCA’s leading scorer in ’22-23, averaging 16.9 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 42.3% on field goals, including 31.1% from 3, and 78.6% on free throws.

As a freshman at UCA in ’21-22, he averaged 14.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting 44.7% from the field, including 25.0% from 3, and 81.5% from the free throw line.

Hunter was a star guard at Bryant (’17-18 through ’20-21) where he teamed up with former Hog and current Little Rock Trojans star Khalen “KK” Robinson to form one of the most formidable backcourts in the country. In spring-and-summer grassroots play, he was an integral part of the Arkansas Hawks program and excelled playing on the competitive Adidas Gauntlet circuit (now known as the Adidas 3SSB).

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