Grant Hill has been a household name in the game of basketball since he won his first of two NCAA Championships with the Duke Blue Devils in 1991. From there, it appeared nothing could stop this class act on and off the court.
Hill was drafted number three overall in the 1994 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons. He burst upon the scene, becoming the first Piston to score 1,000 points in his rookie year since Isiah Thomas did during the 1981-82 season. Hill shared the NBA Rookie of the Year honors with Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks.
Throughout his career, Hill averaged 16.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.2 steals per game. For Hill, there was one thing he could not control - injuries. Ankle injuries hampered him for all but one year during his 19- year career. Following his time in Detroit, Hill played for the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Hill announced his retirement this past Saturday night on TNT prior to the start of game six of the Eastern Conference Finals. He told USA Today Sports, ”The last four or five years I would take about a month (after the season to decide to continue) and within a month, if I still wanted to do it, I would. Putting it simply, after a month, I just realized I didn’t want to play anymore.”
Off the court, Hill has been as much of an All-Star as he was on the court. Highlights include:
- Vice-Chairman for the Board of Directors of the Special Olympic World Summer Games in 1999 which were held in Durham, Raleigh and Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Hill was featured on a poster “READ” that supported libraries, literacy and advocated reading.
- Hill funded an organization in his hometown, Reston, Virginia, in order to help needy students of any ages pursue education.
The Good in Sports salutes Grant Hill for all his accomplishments on and off the court. It’s athletes like him that showcase everything that can be good in sports.
Your thoughts or comments?