The Valparaiso University men's basketball team has announced the addition of Amarion Hunter (Dallas, Texas / Dallas Carter), a 6-foot-3 guard who has signed to join the program as a freshman beginning with the 2027-2028 season.
 
"Amarion is an unbelievable get for us," head coach Roger Powell Jr. said. "He is a high-level guard out of Dallas, Texas. There are a ton of players there; that area has a great history of talent. He's just like all of the high school guards that we've been able to sign in that he has the ability to come in and have an impact right away."
 
A 4-star recruit according to ESPN.com, Hunter selected Valpo among a multitude of offers from strong Division-I programs. Hunter is rated as the No. 44 shooting guard in the class of 2027.
 
"Valpo feels like family, like I'm back at home," Hunter said. "Coach Powell really cares for his team. It's not transactional. He used to play in the NBA, so I know he can help me get there."
 
Hunter surpassed 1,000 career points during his junior season before leading Dallas Carter to a state championship, earning championship MVP honors. He averaged 22 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals during his junior season. He was also named the MVP of the RecruitLook Circuit with the Dallas Mustangs.
 
"He's going to bring a winning attitude," Dallas Mustangs AAU coach Rod Taylor said. "He loves to win. He's a great young man and is very coachable. He plays hard all the time and does whatever it takes to win."
 
Taylor started coaching Hunter when he was 5 years old.
 
"It's been a pleasure; I've enjoyed every minute of it," Taylor said. "I talked to him earlier, telling him how proud I am of him. I've watched him mature as a young man, and I know it's time for him to move on to bigger and better things. His leadership stands out a lot. He's kind to everybody. He loves his family and friends. That's what stands out to me about him."
 
As a high school freshman, Hunter was named 10-4A Freshman of the Year. As a sophomore, he was named 10-4A Sophomore of the Year while earning 4A All-Region and Dallas Morning News Sophomore of the Year. During his junior season, he was named 10-4A MVP of the District, 4A Texas All-State and All-Region. He was the 4A Texas Player of the Year, in addition to earning 4A All-Tournament Team and state title game MVP honors. He also achieved a place on the Dallas Morning News First Team. Leading into his senior season, Hunter has been tabbed the Dallas Morning News Preseason Player of the Year.
 
"Amarion Hunter is probably the best player I have ever coached," Carter High School coach Lyndon Love said. "He epitomizes what an all-around basketball player is and is the ultimate teammate, loving his Carter brothers and holding himself and his teammates accountable. Amarion comes in every day ready to compete at a high level. He is just a special kid who gets it done in the classroom and on the court. He is a player who I would go into any game with and feel like we will win, whether it's with his scoring, passing or defending the best player on the other team. Valpo got the right one. He is an elite basketball player and an even better person."
 
Hunter, whose older brother Pierre is a fifth-year senior cornerback for the Weber State football program, lists winning his school's state championship as his favorite basketball memory, especially given the journey his team had and everything they had to overcome to win the title.
 
"I'm a real dog on defense," Hunter said. "I'm a three-level scorer who can shoot the ball. I'm excited to get out there and work. I'm excited for the games that we are going to play. It was crazy seeing Rak (Rakim Chaney) go out there and score 35 against Purdue, then Justus (McNair) came back down and hit the game-winner. I'm excited to see what we can do during my freshman year."