Grant Hill

The former Duke University standout Grant Henry Hill is a small forward playing for the Phoenix Suns in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on October 5, 1972 in Dallas, Texas, Hill was the only son of former NFL running back Calvin Hill and Janet Hill. Hill was happily married to Tamia who is a four-time nominee in the Grammy Awards as a recording artist. http://www.nba.com/playerfile/grant_hill/bio.html

Though competitive and tenacious on the court, Hill is lithe and kindhearted, as he is also active in civic works and community service. With the full backing of his wife, Hill established several foundations and one of this is the Tamia and Grant Hill Foundation. http://www.nba.com/playerfile/grant_hill/bio.html

He attended South Lakes High School, where he was selected as a McDonald's All-American. Hill was a complete collegiate player as he helped his powerhouse Duke University quintet nail two consecutive NCAA Championships. He averaged 14.9 points, 6.0 rebounds and 3.6 assists in 129 career games with Duke and copped several awards and accolades. He is the only 8th player in Duke history to have his numbered retired (33). Hill led the Blue Devils to two consecutive national titles in 1991 and 1992 and then to the championship game in 1994 but bowed to Arkansas Razorbacks Basketball basketball squad. He was named as the ACC Player of the Year award in 1994 before declaring himself eligible for the NBA Draft.http://www.nba.com/playerfile/grant_hill/bio.html

Hill was selected third overall in the 1994 NBA Draft by the Detroit Pistons. On his rookie season, Hill immediately showed immense potential and sound overall skills on the court as he asserts himself as one of the most talented rookie in the league. Hill’s solid rookie season helped him earned the NBA Rookie of the Year Award with co-winner Jason Kidd. Hill is also oozing with immense charisma, as he became the first rookie to lead NBA All-Star fan balloting.http://www.nba.com/playerfile/grant_hill/bio.html

During his early years with the Detroit Pistons, he was tipped of becoming one of the greatest players in NBA History in the years to come. Hill was even touted to be the heir apparent to the legendary Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls. On his first six seasons with the Pistons, Hill compiled 9,393 points, 2,720 assists, and 3,417 rebounds, easily putting him on pace for a Hall of Fame career.http://www.nba.com/playerfile/grant_hill/bio.html

Hill’s finesse and savvy basketball skills on the court was nothing but spectacular, at 6-8 he can play the role of a point guard, the shooting guard, and small forward with relative ease. He is a complete package since he can pass, rebound and shoot at will and could’ve been a Detroit’s franchise player.

He then started for 7 NBA All-Star teams while with the Pistons. On his second season as a Piston, he lead the league in triple doubles with 10 and helped the United States win the gold medal in the 1996 Summer Olympics. He continued to flex his muscle in the league until a twist of fate befell on him. A life changing and devastating ankle injury in 2000, would sideline Hill for several exasperating years. Hill managed to get back to the thick of things as he was signed as a free agent for Orlando Magic in 2000. Hill was no longer the Hill of the past that will command media mileage and adulation of the fans with relative ease, but still he put up decent numbers and quietly worked on his way to get back to his fierce fighting form. Hill played six productive seasons with the Magic (2000-2007 seasons), http://www.nba.com/playerfile/grant_hill/bio.html although it is apparent that the injury he suffered several years ago robbed some of his stellar basketball talents. Hill was way past his prime, and the injury prevented him from fully tapping his potentials. In 2007, he signed with the Phoenix Suns with hope to rebuild his career as a valuable role player. He was able to play in 70 games in the 2007-2008 season, which is his most since he was injured.

In the 2009 – 2010 NBA season, Grant Hill is slowly turning into an effective role player for the Phoenix Suns. Often shunning away from the limelight as he let his teammates do most of the damage to the opposing teams, but usually he steps up at an opportune time to provide the lift his team needed in crucial stages of the games they played. Despite limited playing role on his team, Hill still managed to stockpile a decent performance for the team as he averaged 11.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.7 steal and 0.4 block in the regular season and 9.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assist, 0.8 steal and 0.6 block in the Playoffs.

He also played a key role in the team’s campaign in the 2010 NBA Playoffs, as the Suns progressed through the Western Conference Finals against the reigning World Champion Los Angeles Lakers. The Suns however bowed to the Lakers and allowed their foe to gain a slot in the 2010 NBA Finals and the right to face the Boston Celtics.