Things weren’t supposed to be like this. Chris Hill, a 6′9″forward, should be playing college basketball this year. Unfortunately for Hill, things got held up. Prior to this season, Chris Hill attended Laurinburg Institute. After the completion of Laurinburg’s spring semester, the NCAA issued the preparatory institute a “not cleared” status.
As a result, core courses, grades and graduation from the Laurinburg Institute will not be used when determining prospective student-athletes’ initial eligibility to compete in intercollegiate athletics. Obviously, because of his enrollment at Laurinburg, this decision directly effected Hill.
“I’ve put all of that behind me. I am staying positive and moving forward,” said Hill.
Now at Stevens Prep Academy in Raleigh, NC, Chris Hill is working on earning his eligibility at a Division One school to play basketball. Standing at 6′9″ and 210 pounds, Hill is putting up some eye-popping numbers, in both his measurables and on the court results.
“They think I might be growing a little bit more. I have a 72″ wing-span and a 39.6″ vertical leap,” Hill said. “I am averaging 37 points a game and 13 rebounds. Also, five assists and four blocks.”
More importantly, according to Hill, is that he is doing well in the classroom.
“I am gonna start setting up visits soon but I am focusing on academics right now,” responded Hill. ”I am doing some high level college credit type of courses right now so I can be set to be cleared. I am taking it one day at a time.”
Continuing, Hill said, “I want to help my mom and I want to help myself. I want to prove people wrong. I pray a lot. God gave me talent and I want to make the most of it.”
Once Hill does start setting up campus visits, it is safe to say that a handful of high-major Division I schools will be lined up.
“Right now I am looking at UConn, West Virginia, Kentucky, Memphis, Maryland is showing some interest and Arizona,” Hill responded.
Although Memphis already has seven commitments for the 2010 recruiting class, many have indicated that the Tigers’ coaching staff is still recruiting in order to fill at least one more spot. Most conventional wisdom speaks to the fact that if another player is added, it will be a player who can play the four of the five position in the Memphis style of play.
“Memphis was going to be one of my top schools no matter what schools came at me with an offer. I liked the fact that Penny Hardaway was from there. Also, they have one of my favorite players from an NBA standpoint, Rudy Gay,” said Hill. ”Kentucky as well because of Amare. He committed to Memphis so that’s why I am so close to Coach Calipari.”
With his academics appearing to be on track and good personal results on the court so far this season, Hill continues to work at improving. Stevens Prep, who now sits at 9-4 on the season, has played some of the best prepartory and junior college schools on the east coast, including Oak Hill Academy and The Miller School (where Memphis commit Hippolyte Tsafack is currently enrolled).
“We played those guys down (The Miller School) in North Carolina, and I went up against Maryland commit Mychal Parker. It got a little hectic and the refs let it get out of hand but I ended up with 34 points,” described Hill. ”I guess the Miller School coach put me in a box-and-one. I dunked on Hippo and their other big on a tip dunk. When I told Coach Pastner what I did to them, he didn’t want to believe me. I had to remind him that I can jump too.”
Hill is a highly skilled forward who can go inside and out. With size to do work on the interior and guard-skills to take his man outside, Hill is a mismatch waiting to happen.
“I feel like I can do a lot of things. I get a lot of offensive rebounds. I know I can come in and fill a spot to do whatever it takes,” explained Hill. ”I know that their (Memphis’) recruiting class is very strong this year and they’re needing one or two more players from speaking with Coach Pastner.”
“He and I have formed a good relationship over the last few years,” continued Hill. ”All I can say is that I like the style of basketball out there, I like what Coach Pastner is doing with the program, and Memphis could possibly be a very strong possibility in the future for me if I get everything straight with my academics. It’s very possible I could be in Memphis.”
On Hippolyte Tsafack
“He’s very aggressive, has very good footwork, is very strong and can tell that he has been taught the game. He’s going to be really good for Memphis.”
Explaining how he got so skilled despite being a taller player
“When I was 11 or 12 years old, I first got to dunk and I always wanted to be like Tracy McGrady. Growing up I watched a lot of stuff about Magic Johnson and some of the tall guards. Guys like Penny Hardaway and Tracy McGrady. I try to put a lot of their games in mine. I want to be able to do everything for my team and do a lot for my team.”
On how important his support group is to him
“I have a real good support system around me. I feel like that’s what a lot of guys are missing. Amare has a big influence in my life. Coach Bernie Hays, who helped Amare too, is helping me. I am being very humble, learning about a lot of people and what I have to do as a player. I want to become mentally tough.”
To learn more about the NCAA’s ruling on the Laurinburg Institute, check out this link.
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