Credit: GR Productions
Pirate Preview: Messiah Hunter
Published: Wednesday, October 1, 2025
by Christian Oliveri
Messiah Hunter, the 6’2 forward out of Hopewell, Virginia, has some big shoes to fill for the Seton Hall Pirates in the upcoming 2025-26 season. Hunter transferred to Seton Hall ahead of the 2024-25 season after spending three years at West Virginia. As a Mountaineer, she saw limited time, averaging about five and a half minutes per game over two active seasons, contributing 1.6 points per game and 1.3 rebounds per game in her final season in the Big 12.
In her debut season for the Pirates, Hunter appeared in all thirty-three games, making
eight starts. She averaged fifteen and a half minutes, tallying relatively the same
numbers as she did in her final season at West Virginia, bumping her rebounding total
to 2.5 per game.
Her scoring efficiency was modest, shooting about thirty-eight percent from the field,
and her involvement in the Pirates’ system last season was limited in terms of usage.
A few notable moments came in the season opener win against Jefferson, where she added
nine points on efficient shooting.
Looking ahead, Hunter enters the 2025-26 season with two seasons of eligibility remaining.
With several veteran competitors graduating or transferring after 2024-25, such as
Faith Masonius, I’yanna Lops, Amari Wright, and Joniyah Bland-Fitzpatrick, Hunter
is a prime candidate to assume a role in this season’s starting five.
She has already started her season off on a high note, being awarded the “Iron Pirate”,
an award given to players who have shown up, performed, and led consistently.
Hunter’s upside lies within further development. If she can improve her shooting efficiency,
strength and continue to broaden her ability around the rim, she could solidify her
role as the starting forward this season.
However, her challenge is going to be to translate those minutes into consistent production,
especially on offense, while maintaining her defensive and rebounding contributions.
This season, look to see the Pirates forward become a game-changing piece in Coach
Bozzella’s rotation.
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