Xavier senior forward Jerome Hunter, who has missed the entire season after recovering from heart surgery, tore his Achilles tendon in practice on Monday, Musketeers coach Sean Miller said. Hunter will have surgery at the end of this week in hopes of returning sometime next season, Miller said.
The 6-foot-8 former Indiana transfer averaged 7.8 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 57.5 percent from the field in 2022-23. He collected 38 points and 10 rebounds in Xavier’s two 2003 NCAA Tournament wins before being held to just three points in a Sweet 16 loss to Texas.
Advertisement
In late June, Hunter went to see team doctors after feeling chest pain and was told he was having a heart attack. He returned to light practice work in December and full-contact practice last month. Miller said Hunter, who has graduated, intends to try and play for the Musketeers in the 2024-25 season.
Hunter is one of two key players who have missed this season for Xavier (12-10, 6-5 Big East). Zach Freemantle, the team’s second-leading scorer and top rebounder in 2022-23, has been recovering from surgery on his left foot.
(Photo: Jacob Kupferman / Getty Images)