Ottawa University Director of Athletics, Arabie Conner has announced the promotion of full-time assistant women’s basketball coach, Hunter Bondurant, to head women’s basketball coach. He will be replacing former OU head women’s basketball Tarniesha Scott, who was a finalist for the WBCA NAIA Coach of the Year Award this past season. Coach Scott recently accepted a new position at Trinity Valley Community College.
“While we certainly want to take the opportunity to thank Coach Scott for all her good work with our program and wish her all the best, we feel confident in the opportunity we have to promote from within and maintain leadership stability for the program,” said Conner. “In recognition of the upward trajectory of the program and Coach Bondurant’s preparedness, we’re anxious to see our program continue to build. His tireless work ethic, passion, and vision for the program, as well as the departmentwide impact he’s made during his time here at OU, were key aspects of this promotion. We will open the search for backfilling the vacated full-time assistant position immediately as Coach Bondurant goes to work building his staff and moving the program forward.”
Bondurant spent the 2022-23 season, one of the best seasons in program history, as an assistant coach for the women’s basketball program. The Braves finished with an overall record of 18-12 and finished sixth in the KCAC with a mark of 13-9. The 18 wins are the most by the Braves since the 2016-17 season. Ottawa also had the best winning percentage since 2006-07 (.600). The Braves set five single game school records; scoring (109), assists (32), rebounds (69), free throw percentage (1.00), and 3-pt field goal attempts (41). OU also qualified for its first KCAC Tournament semifinal game since the 2015-16 season. Bondurant was vital in helping sign Ottawa’s 7th All-American, Nicole Brown, as well as helping sign two NJCAA All-Americans.
Before joining the OU women’s basketball staff, Bondurant was the Assistant Recruiting Coordinator and Director of Social Media for the OU men’s basketball program. He oversaw the entire junior varsity program including being the head coach for the varsity reserve team and the junior varsity black team. Bondurant coached a combined 51 games over two years with those two teams. In addition, he assisted in varsity scouting reports and guard development.
“I am juiced for the opportunity to be the next head coach at Ottawa University! I’ve fell in love with Ottawa over the last three years and truly believe this is a place where we can have continued success both on and off the court. I am beyond grateful for Coach Scott giving me the chance to come work for her last season, I’ve learned a multitude of things, and am excited to see her continued success at her next job. I’ve shared my vision and dream for this program with our athletic director and am excited to get to work on achieving it.”
Bondurant has been very involved in multiple basketball organizations nationwide, including working with some of the nation’s best men’s high school players at the Jay Bilas Skills Camp. He is an alum of IMG Academy where he has spent several summers assisting in both men’s and women’s summer camps. He is also a recent attendee of the Head Coach Training Center hosted by Brian Stanchak and the BDS Agency. Bondurant also holds a position on the WBCA Assistant Coaches Committee.
Prior to his time with the OU men’s basketball coaching staff, Bondurant was the head varsity girls basketball coach at Central High School in Allentown, Florida for the 2019-20 season. Central set a school record during the 2019-20 season for most 3-pt field goals made and attempted. Bondurant also hosted the school’s first basketball camp and implemented a strength and conditioning program for both boys and girls basketball. Bondurant created the “Breakfast Club” which provided free breakfast and skills work for local girls 4th – 12th grade every Saturday morning throughout the off-season.
Before coaching the girls’ high school program, Bondurant was the head varsity boys’ assistant basketball coach and junior varsity coach at Central High School.
Bondurant worked for the Auburn University men’s basketball program from 2010 to 2012. He assisted with all aspects of setting up practices, game days and travel. Bondurant helped run individual player workouts along with being a member of the scout team and assisted in all youth summer camp sessions.
Bondurant attended and played basketball at Millsaps College, he also played a prep year at IMG Academy. Additionally, he’s coached 5 years at the AAU level with Auburn Raptors. He was a camp instructor at Dave Devenzio’s National Point Guard Camp.
Coach Bondurant begins his head coaching duties effective immediately.
https://ottawabraves.com/news/2023/5/24/bondurant-selected-to-lead-womens-basketball-program.aspx
Tagged with: NAIA
