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GREENSBORO, N.C. – Kaleb Hunter has a meaningful tattoo on his chest featuring a large image of God handing him a basketball. On his stomach is his favorite scripture, Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." 
 
There was only one destiny for the 6 foot, 4 inch UNC Greensboro (UNCG) redshirt junior guard from Raleigh.
 
Hoops.
 
Hunter's parents, Alvin & Kelva, made sure his dream became a reality when they installed a basketball court outside their home when he was 6. It was the best Christmas present ever. Over time, the green grass disappeared into a dusty swath of dirt because Hunter and his family played basketball every day in the yard.
 
"I was outside all the time," said Hunter, a business management major. "I started playing basketball because of my dad. I used to always go to the gym with him, sit on the sidelines, and watch him. I would also shoot on the side. When I got the basketball goal on Christmas, I remember that I went crazy."
 
Fast forward a few years later and Hunter still has that tingle of anticipation like many kids on Christmas morning as UNCG prepares to begin its 2020-21 season against Little Rock on Friday, Nov. 27 at Louisville's KFC Yum! Center. The Spartans will also meet Winthrop (Sunday, Nov. 29), Prairie View A&M (Tuesday, Dec. 1), Duquesne (Wednesday, Dec. 2), and Louisville (Friday, Dec. 4).
 
UNCG's first four games will be broadcast live on ESPN3. The Spartans' final game will be televised live on the ACC Network. 
 
His inked inspiration will serve as motivation when he takes the floor. 
 
He has a tattoo on his wrist that says "humble" because it keeps him grounded and focused. The word "sacrifice" is on his stomach is a tribute to his mother, who woke up early every day when she didn't have to so that Hunter arrived on-time for his 6:00 a.m. training sessions in high school. 
  
"She sacrificed so much," Hunter said. "I am thankful to wake up every day and have her sacrifice for me. I would wake up around 4:45 a.m. and my mom didn't even have to be to work until 9. It's crazy. My stepdad (Steven Stokes) impacted me as well. He took me to all my AAU games. I always remembered that he never used a GPS. He knew all the quick routes to get me there."
 
Not everything has been easy for Hunter, who missed most of his senior year in high school with stress fractures in his legs.
 
He found his way to UNCG because Hunter felt at home during his visit. 

He developed into one of the top players in the Southern Conference through good old fashioned hard work, patience, and persistence.
 
It just took him some time to get comfortable because he also redshirted during the 2017-18 season, which was hard for Hunter. Ultimately, it was a blessing in disguise for a player who was rated as the No. 5 recruit in the state of North Carolina for the class of 2017 by Prep Hoops North Carolina. 
 
"I felt like I could compete with the guys, but I wasn't even ready," Hunter said. "I was coming off some injuries. I hated it. I was mad every day even though I was able to practice. I grew a lot mentally and that helped me get through a lot of things."
 
 
Hunter's response to adversity left a searing impression on UNCG head coach Wes Miller.
 
"I am proud of his growth during his time here," Miller said. "We're in an era where a lot of people and young people, when they don't have what they want or things don't go their way, they run from the situation. Instead of running from that or having a bad attitude or bad approach, Kaleb has been an example of what our program is about.
 
"He's been a guy who comes into the gym every day just trying to grow and improve. What happened was he went from a guy who struggled a ton as a freshman to a guy that I think is an all-league level player, as a sophomore last year."
 
That same steely mindset has helped Hunter navigate the challenges of the past few months as the nation struggled with social injustice after the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and others. He participated in peaceful protests in downtown Greensboro in June. 
 
"It's been frustrating," Hunter said. "There's a lot of good people trying to make a change. It's weird how people get comfortable when another person gets killed. It's kind of aggravating and frustrating when you see that. I've been staying prayed up. 
 
"Because I am Black, I don't know everything. I am gathering as much information and trying to share that with people. We understand this is bigger than basketball. It's a blessing to be able to inspire more people with our platform. I am committed to being part of the change and help make a difference." 
 
Back to basketball; Hunter is a critical piece of the Spartan championship recipe mix. Despite missing a few games last season with a nagging injury, Hunter was UNCG's second-leading scorer last season, averaging 10.3 points per contest. 
 
When his versatile game is flowing, Hunter is a catch-and-shoot 3-point specialist. He has a lethal pull-up game and loves getting downhill to attack the basket.
 
Miller believes Hunter's best days are ahead of him.
 
"He's meant so much because he's been such an example on the court, sacrificing for the team," Miller said. "He knows who he is as a player. He's become this great leader that our younger players can look up to. He is about the team. I am proud of Kaleb Hunter."