Hunter Hernandez Leads UC Irvine Through Historic Final Season
4.5 Minute read
By Andrea Aruino
UC Irvine’s Hunter Hernandez capped off her collegiate career earning Big West Player of the Year honors, becoming the program’s single-season scoring leader, and joining the 1,000-point club. She finished her career with an impressive 1,477 points and 583 rebounds as she and the Anteaters finished first in the Big West with a 26–7 record. The Anteaters went on a 16-game winning streak, a stretch that defined their dominance and established them as one of the top teams in the conference.
Hernandez averaged 19.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game and became one of the most consistent and reliable players on the floor. She was the highest scorer in 22 games, recorded five performances of 30 or more points, and delivered a standout 41-point performance in an 85–65 win over Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
The Anteaters season came to a close in a hard-fought 61–55 loss in the first round of the NCAA Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) against San Diego State University (SDSU). In a game defined by momentum swings and late-game pressure, Hernandez led the way with 19 points and four assists, giving UC Irvine a chance down to the final minutes. Despite holding a late lead in the fourth quarter, UC Irvine was unable to convert in the closing stretch. For Hernandez, the loss marked the end of her collegiate career, but not the impact she leaves behind.
Coming into the season, UC Irvine faced a significant transition, losing key players and entering what Hernandez described as a “rebuild year.” As the only returning senior with experience in the program, she stepped into a leadership role that required more than just production. It meant bringing together an entirely new group and setting the standard for what the team could become.
“I had to kind of step into a leadership role a little bit more,” Hernandez said. “Getting to know all the new players and figuring out how we could play together and mesh well was a big thing over the summer.”
For Hernandez, leadership did not come naturally in the traditional sense. She described herself as someone who was not always the most vocal. This season, she was fully tapped into the confidence that Coach Packie Turner instilled in her throughout her years of training at UPBasketball. At times when the team was in a rut, Hernandez knew she could go to Packie for advice and a shoulder to lean on.
“The confidence [Coach Packie] always had in me and [him] telling me that I can be this great player and do all these different things that I doubted at times was really special for me and something that I'm grateful for,” Hernandez said.
While her collegiate career has come to an end, Hernandez is already making her next impact and this time it’s off the court. Alongside her friend Moulayna Johnson Sidi Baba, she co-founded MOJO Elite, a mentorship-driven program focused on developing young athletes both as players and individuals.
“One of the main things is building yourself up not just as a basketball player, but as a person,” Hernandez said. “Life is not just basketball. It’s important to be confident off the court as well.”
Hunter Hernandez leaves UC Irvine not only as one of its most accomplished players, but as a leader who helped redefine what the Anteaters could achieve. From overcoming injuries to leading a rebuilding team to a historic season, her journey is a testament to resilience, preparation, and intention.
“It’s obviously a bittersweet moment [how the season ended,] you always want to win, but there’s so much positive that I can look back on. I’m just really grateful for the experience and the people that I had the opportunity of playing with,” Hernandez said.
