Jo Jo Hunter

Anthony "Jo Jo" Hunter (born April 15, 1957) is an American former basketball player.^[1] A high school phenom in Washington, D.C.,^[2] he played collegiately at the University of Maryland and University of Colorado.^[1] Hunter was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the sixth round of the 1981 NBA draft (136th overall)^[3] but was released before the regular season. He went on to play professionally in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) and overseas. ^[4][5] His life—including legal troubles and a later comeback—has been the focus of significant media coverage.^[6]

Jo Jo Hunter was born and raised in Washington, D.C., where he developed a reputation as one of the capital's most dynamic young basketball talents. He attended Mackin Catholic High School, a small but competitive private school in Northeast D.C. known for its strong basketball program. During his high school years, Hunter quickly became one of the most sought-after prospects in the country due to his explosive scoring ability and smooth guard play.^[2]

As a senior at Mackin, Hunter averaged nearly 38 points per game, leading the Washington area in scoring and gaining a near-mythic status among local fans and coaches.^[1] He was named to The Washington Post All-Met Basketball Team twice, affirming his dominance on the court and his status as one of the top players in the region. Hunter was also named a Second-Team Parade All-American in 1976, placing him among the top high school players in the country.^[7]

His talent drew comparisons to NBA All-Star Jo Jo White, not only for their shared first name but also for their confident style of play, court vision, and scoring prowess.^[2] Hunter's performances helped raise the profile of Mackin High School, which competed against larger public and Catholic school programs, and his national reputation ultimately earned him a scholarship to play for the University of Maryland under head coach Lefty Driesell.

Hunter began his collegiate career with the Maryland Terrapins under head coach Lefty Driesell during the 1976–77 season. As a freshman guard, Hunter appeared in 20 games and averaged 5.4 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game, often providing a scoring spark off the bench.^[8] Despite his promise, Hunter saw limited playing time behind a veteran Maryland backcourt, leading him to seek a larger role elsewhere.

Following his freshman year, Hunter transferred to the University of Colorado, joining fellow D.C. standout James "Turk" Tillman. Per NCAA transfer regulations, Hunter sat out the 1977–78 season. Upon regaining eligibility, he became a starting guard for the Buffaloes. During the 1978–79 season, Hunter averaged 13.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, earning All-Big Eight Conference honors and establishing himself as one of Colorado's leading scorers and playmakers.^{[1] [2]}

Hunter’s collegiate performance is documented via Sports-Reference.com.^[9]

Hunter was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the sixth round (136th overall) of the 1981 NBA draft,^[3] but was released before the start of the regular season and did not appear in an NBA game. He instead played professionally in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) with the Montana Golden Nuggets and Rochester Zeniths, and also spent time playing overseas.^[1][2]

Hunter's CBA statistics are available via StatsCrew.com.^[4]

In the mid-1990s, Hunter was convicted on 11 felony counts related to armed jewelry-store robberies in Washington, D.C., including one during which a clerk was shot.^[10] He was sentenced to 14–43 years in federal prison, serving time at FCI Cumberland.

Hunter was paroled in 2012 after lobbying by former teammates, returning to Washington, D.C. in 2013. He rejoined the local basketball scene, participated in a senior men's league, worked at a funeral home, and became involved in youth mentorship.^[6][11]

• The Washington Post – D.C. basketball legends help JoJo Hunter get out of prison — and rebuild his life (August 3, 2013): Highlights efforts by local veterans to support Hunter's parole and his return to public life.^[6]

• The Washington Post – Pickup game: Jo Jo Hunter rebuilds his life (August 4, 2013): A filmed visit to Hunter playing in a senior men's league after his release.^[15]

• Grantland – The Comeback (January 16, 2013): A feature on Hunter's high-school career, prison years, and release.^[2]

• The Washington Post – EX–D.C. basketball star convicted in robberies (April 12, 1997): Reports on Hunter's criminal trial and convictions.^[10]

• Washington City Paper – The Jo Jo Hunter Story: Vintage D.C. ballers try to give his tragic tale a happy ending (October 27, 2011): Examines the community campaign to lobby for his release.^[11]

• Capital of Basketball – Jo Jo and Hawkeye: a staged match up for the ages (February 5, 2016): Retrospective on Hunter's legendary high school duel with Charles “Hawkeye” Whitney.^[16]

Jo Jo Hunter's basketball legacy is rooted in his early success as a standout player in Washington, D.C., where he was regarded as one of the most talented guards of his era.^[2][1] His performances at Mackin Catholic High School placed him among a group of notable D.C. players, including Curt Smith and John Turner, and led to recruitment by top collegiate programs.

Local coaches and journalists often described Hunter as one of the most naturally gifted high school guards to come out of Washington, D.C., in his era, comparing him to the city’s all-time greats.^[2]

Although he was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in the sixth round of the 1981 NBA draft, Hunter did not play in a regular-season NBA game. Instead, he played professionally in the Continental Basketball Association (CBA) for the Montana Golden Nuggets and Rochester Zeniths, and also spent time playing overseas.^[4]

After his playing career ended, Hunter encountered legal troubles and served over two decades in prison. Following his release, he received support from members of the D.C. basketball community who assisted in his reintegration into society.^[6][5]

Hunter's story has drawn coverage from several prominent media outlets, including The Washington Post, Grantland, and the Washington City Paper, which chronicled both his basketball talent and later life challenges.^[2][1][6]

• James "Turk" Tillman
• Ralph Ledbetter
• Curt Smith (basketball)
• Stacey Robinson
• Kenny Matthews
• Joe Holston