Shaquille Hunter - Irvine Valley College

If the Irvine Valley men's basketball team is going to have success this season, sophomore shooting guard Shaquille Hunter will have to be a big reason why.

Hunter is the lone returning starter from a squad that went 16-12 overall last year and made the Southern California Regional Playoffs.

The 6-2 Hunter led IVC in scoring during the 2012-13 season, averaging 14.7 points per game.

That total ranked third in the Orange Empire Conference. Hunter made 54 three-pointers, which was also third best in the conference.

Overall, he scored in double figures in 22 of 28 contests and posted five games with at least 20 points.

"He was solid as a freshman, but he has to be the guy for us this year as a sophomore," Irvine Valley Coach Jerry Hernandez said. "We had two other all-conference players last year that are now gone. Shaq has to take it to an even higher level.

"He is an explosive scorer. He has gotten even stronger this year and what I am impressed with is that he has improved his defense tremendously."

Starring in basketball is not something new for Hunter, who stood out at Villa Park High and received a scholarship offer to Long Beach State. He red-shirted at Long Beach State during the 2011-12 season.

Hunter was named first team all-CIF as well as second-team all-Orange County as a senior at Villa Park. He led all of Orange county in  scoring with 674 points, which was good for a 23.2 points per game average.

"He is a gamer," Hernandez said. "What I really learned about Shaq last year was that when the lights come on, he is ready to compete and ready to play. He has the mentality that 'I am the best player in the gym.' And that is critical for us. We need a guy that wants the ball and wants to take a risk. He wants to take the big shot."

Hunter and the Irvine Valley men's basketball team opens its season Friday, Nov. 8 at home against Southwestern at 7 p.m.