Grant Hill - The College Years - "Crossing the Bridge"

Mike Krzyzewski and Pat Summitt were recently named Sports Illustrated Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year. In listening to the video that highlights the accomplishments of Coach K & Coach Summitt, I was struck by the comments that Krzyzewski made about Grant Hill and the comments that Jeff Capel made about Coach K and Hill.

I first saw Grant Hill play in his freshman year at Duke. By the end of his senior year he had truly evolved as a player and leader. I'll be sharing two reports that I wrote on Grant Hill in his senior year of college. Beside focusing on Hill's game, I reference an interaction Hill had with Capel during a game Duke played vs. Michigan on 12/11/93: "Has evolved into a leader and takes this mantlepiece seriously. Capel over-penetrates as usual at the end of the half and Hill found him immediately, wrapped him in his arms and encouraged him. He supports his teammates & does not tear them down."

In my report chronicling the game against Xavier on 12/4/93, I mention Coach K in my comments: "Coach K has always talked about Hill's need to assert himself & be more selfish for the good of the team. Hill is listening. Very demonstrative on the court. Exhibiting leadership skills. Encouraging young teammates and taking it upon himself to dominate at both ends of the floor." 

In the Sports Illustrated video, Coach K talks about how Grant Hill matured in his senior year. How Hill "crossed that bridge," which is the acceptance of who he is/was and who he should be. Coach K told Hill that he was too humble, "that he had the power to make everyone on this team better." Coach K goes on to relate how Grant "crossed the bridge" in the Southeast regional final game against Purdue in 1994 that Duke won 69-60. {I think Hill "crossed the bridge" long before the Purdue game.}

Coach K: "We had a hellacious game with Purdue. At halftime, we had a freshman guard named Jeff Capel, who could win his matchup with the guy he was playing against."

Jeff Capel: "Coach says to me: 'Jeff, your matchup is the key matchup, you're better than that guy, go out and play.'"

Coach K: "When I left the room, I heard Grant talk to him."

Jeff Capel:  "Grant was a guy that I looked up to. That year as a freshman, it meant more to me when Grant said things to me, even more than Coach."

Coach K: "In the second half, Jeff was lights out. Walking off the court, I had my arm around Grant and I said 'you won the game today.' Hill said, 'I didn't win the game, Jeff did.' Coach K said "No, you won it. You empowered your teammate to use all of his talents. What a tremendous power a great player has like you.'"

Grant Hill: "I bought in, and that's one of the many qualities that makes Coach K a great teacher, mentor, leader, and basketball coach."

GRANT HILL - COLLEGE REPORTS - 1993-94 SEASON

Players of Grant Hill's ilk don't come along often. Grant played four years at Duke. In today's game that would never happen with a player of his talent and ability. Since the late 70's, people have debated the merits of what is gained by going to college and maturing as a player and person versus entering the pro ranks. I can remember the interviews I had with young kids who were considering entering the NBA out of high school. I would always ask them one question, "Why do you as a boy, feel that you can enter a man's world, both on and off the court."

In reading the comments I've posted above, it's easy to see how four years at Duke benefited Hill as a player and a person.  I wish more young players would take time to mature like Hill did in college, instead of rushing for that pot of gold in the NBA. It's hard for anybody, especially young ones to realize "all that glitters is not gold."

Duke vs. Xavier - 12/4/93

Will easily be a top 5 pick in this draft. Coach K has always talked about Hill's need to assert himself & be more selfish for the good of the team. Hill is listening. Very demonstrative on the court. Exhibiting leadership skills. Encouraging young teammates & taking it upon himself to dominate at both ends of the floor. Outstanding physical attributes & basketball skills. Good finesse move in close - makes mid-air adjustment & finishes w/left hand. Exceptional ball handler w/excellent court vision & passing skills. Can play make & initiate an offense. Good passer in transition. Excellent understanding of the game. Patient in letting situations develop. Draws & dishes to 3pt. shooter at the wing in open court. Biggest ? is his ability to hit the deep shot. Frequently off balance when shooting. Needs to get his feet under him & develop a rhythm. Good enough shooter to survive in the pro game-will get better. Starting to hit 18-20' shot-getting more confident. Utilizes pull up jumper off dribble to get better shot if it's viable. Very good decision maker. Impressed with handle & how he protects ball against small guards. Bringing the ball up the floor when pressured by small guards.Exceptional def. abilities. Made one play that demonstrated his agility,quickness, & strength. Stops full court rush of a pt. guard with foot quickness & positioning. Excellent team defender & rebounder. Exceptionally quick reactions to the ball. Type of player that we look for both on & off the court. Really impressed how well he changes ends. In very good shape & filling the lanes. Excellent running mechanics. Hill is a graceful, big athlete. 

Duke vs. Michigan - 12/11/93

Possible  #1 pick in the draft. Great all-around skills & a force at both ends of the floor. His size & athletic grace are special. Solid family background - appears to have great character. Has evolved into a leader & takes this mantlepiece seriously. Capel over-penetrates as usual at the end of the half & Hill found him immediately, wrapped him in his arms & encouraged him. He supports his teammates & does not tear them down. Has a man's body. Strong enough to play in the league & immediately contribute.So fluid and graceful. Fundamentally sound offensive player. Has a lot of Scottie Pippen in him, but will probably be better. Shooting is a concern. Likes to shoot off the dribble, but is not always in good balance. Shooting has improved while at Duke. Has extended his range over the years. Hitting his spot-up shots better, but he still is not totally confident in it. Predict that he will become a good shooter in the NBA with more reps. His versatility & ability to handle the ball & initiate the offense will be his true value as a pro. Handles the ball like a guard Does not give up his dribble & he can deliver the ball. Gets to the rim & finishes above the rim. Missed last 3 FT att. very badly. Excellent def. rebounder - far superior to Juwan Howard. Traffic rebounder - withstands the pushes & shoves to claim ball. Imposing defender. Can cover big guards & small forwards. Size & reach make it difficult to pass over & into post. Excellent at changing directions. Has the potential to change the complexion of a game on the defensive end. Makes great defensive plays & will be a great defender in the NBA. Great at stopping the ball in fast break situations.

Has Grant Hill done enough in his basketball career to be worthy of being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame? That's a question that basketball purists ask about Hill, as well as his former college teammate, Christian Laettner. In Grant Hill's case,  it's a resounding YES!

Hill's college career stands on it's own merits in being one part of the equation for his induction into the Hall. It's his pro career that will probably give voters a slight pause, due to the ankle injury that he suffered near the end of his 6th year in the NBA. Ten years of basketball excellence should leave no doubt in voters' minds. After 6 years in the NBA, "Hill had a total of 9,393 points, 3,417 rebounds and 2,720 assists. Oscar Robertson, Larry Bird, and LeBron Jamers are the only three players in league history to eclipse these numbers after their first six seasons."

Hill has been relatively healthy since the 2006-2007 season. In the past three years, he has played in an average of 80 games/year. That's remarkable durability for any athlete, let alone a 35+ year old man who was as fragile as glass for a 5 year stretch. Now entering his 17th NBA season, Grant is still an important cog in the wheel for the Phoenix Suns. Talk about the Phoenix rising from the ashes!

Yes, Grant Hill lives as one of the best basketball players of his generation, and just in case you've forgotten how superb he was in the early stages of his NBA career and how productive he is now, the following videos will refresh your memory.