Ava Hunter has always loved basketball. For her, basketball has always been more than just a sport. It’s a connection to family, a lifelong passion and a source of personal growth. But her journey has not been without its challenges.

After beginning her college career at the University of North Georgia (UNG), Hunter made the difficult decision to transfer to Piedmont University, a move that not only changed her perspective on basketball but also helped her rediscover herself.

Hunter’s love for the game started at home. Inspired by her mother and grandmother, both former basketball players, she grew up immersed in the sport, dreaming of following in their footsteps.

“My mom played at UNG, and I grew up going to all the North Georgia games,” Hunter said. “It was my dream to play there.”

But once she arrived, reality did not match her expectations.

“Some places look glamorous from the outside, but once you’re on the inside, you realize it’s not what you thought,” she said. “I never felt like I was accepted for who I was, and I lost myself in the process.”

The experience led Hunter to reconsider her path. Seeking a fresh start, she turned to Piedmont and found a new home—thanks in large part to head coach Jamie Purdy.

“Coach Purdy took me under her wing after a traumatic experience at UNG,” Hunter said. “She was like a mother to me and promised to take care of me on and off the basketball court.”

Transferring schools is never easy, but making the move midseason added an extra layer of difficulty. Hunter had to adjust to a new team, a new system and a new environment, all while dealing with the emotional toll of leaving her previous school.

“The biggest challenge was basically starting over,” she said. “I transferred at Christmas, right in the middle of the season. Everyone could have been like, ‘She’s just coming in,’ and not accepted me, but they have been the biggest blessing in my life.”

Her new teammates played a crucial role in helping her transition. “They’ve been so amazing—so patient with me,” she said. “Not just on the court but off the court as well.”

Among those who made the biggest impact were Emaline, Riley and Kivana, teammates who went out of their way to make her feel included. “We always go eat in the caf together,” Hunter said. “They’ve made me feel like I truly belong.”

Since transferring, Hunter’s outlook on basketball has transformed.

“Before, I never wanted to watch a basketball game, talk about basketball, or even think about it outside of practice,” she said. “Now, I can view basketball as a positive thing again.”

This newfound mindset helped Hunter prepare for the season in ways beyond physical training. “The best way I prepared was getting my mind right,” she said. “I had to learn to rely on God even more. I was trying to control my life, but I needed to turn control over to Him.”

Hunter’s arrival at Piedmont coincided with a memorable season for the Lions. The team captured the conference championship, a first for Hunter and a moment she will not forget. “Winning conference was such an amazing experience,” she said. “But I think it was the process that made it all so worthwhile.”

Though Piedmont’s postseason run ended in the first round of the NCAA tournament, Hunter believes the experience will fuel the team moving forward. “That first-round loss gave us a lot of experience,” she said. “It makes us want to come back and prove that we can compete at that level.”

Balancing academics, athletics and personal life can be overwhelming, but Hunter has learned to shift her mindset.

“You have to take it one day at a time,” she said. “Instead of thinking, ‘I have to do this,’ I remind myself, ‘I get to do this.’ There are people all over the world who would die to have your life.”

With another season on the horizon, Hunter is already thinking about ways to improve her game.

“I want to work on my perimeter defense and guarding quicker players,” she said. “There’s always room to grow.”

But beyond basketball, her biggest goal is simple: to be the best version of herself.

“I want to have a positive impact on my team, my coaches, and my community,” she said. “And I want God to shine through me in the process.”

For Hunter, basketball is no longer just about wins and losses. It’s about resilience, faith, and the belief that the best chapters are still ahead.