Larry Hunter, former NC State assistant and Western Carolina coach, dies at 68

Larry Hunter, a former N.C. State assistant and Western Carolina head basketball coach, died Friday morning at WakeMed Cary after a massive stroke, the school announced.

Hunter, 68, made five different stops along his 47-year career coaching college basketball. He was an assistant at N.C. State from 2001-05.

Hunter loved the sport of basketball, but "above it all, he loved teaching, educating, and reveled in the successes of his student-athletes not just on the court, but in life," a statement from Western said.

"His eyes would light up when talking about what his former players were doing with their lives after basketball — or when players would visit with their families, wives and children," the statement said. "It was Hunter's extended family, bound through a common tie of basketball."

This story was originally published May 4, 2018 at 2:32 PM with the headline "Larry Hunter, former NC State assistant and Western Carolina coach, dies at 68."