Walter Hill, former recruit for UGA basketball and one-time player for Mark Richt's UGA football squad, has been named the NAIA National Division I Player of the Week.
Hill is averaging 20 points and 8 boards for the Shorter #1-ranked basketball team.
Hill
Showing posts with label Walter Hill. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Walter Hill. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Standing Tall at Shorter
Walter Hill has had a very solid season, although the competition is nowhere near what he would have faced had he stuck with his commitment to the Georgia basketball team.
Hill and Shorter are a good fit, and I'm glad to see that both have been so successful.
#1 ranked Shorter Team
Hill and Shorter are a good fit, and I'm glad to see that both have been so successful.
#1 ranked Shorter Team
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Walt Hill Standing Tall at Shorter
Hill has scored a good number of points lately. He's been a consistent 20-point contributor over a pretty long stretch.
Every now and then I check on how he's doing.
From the attached article, it looks like he's gained a good bit of weight.
Hill
Every now and then I check on how he's doing.
From the attached article, it looks like he's gained a good bit of weight.
Hill
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Walter Hill Concentrating on Hoops
Guy had 28 points in his most recent game for Southwestern Illinois.
I was really disappointed a couple of years back that Hill changed his mind and decided to play football at Georgia instead of basketball. Although it was his choice, I thought that he would be a for sure starter on the hardwood, whereas in football, he would struggle to break into the rotation.
Of course, I was much more disappointed that not only did Hill never see the football field, he ended up getting dismissed from the team by Coach Richt.
Hill has a second chance now, is concentrating on hoops, and seems to be coming into his own for the 14 and 3 Southwestern Illinois squad. Assuming that he stays focused and transfers to Minnesota, as expected, Tubby will be getting a good one.
Maybe by the time he is through with his college career, Hill will replace Mohamed Abukar on my "All Almost" team. What do you think?
I was really disappointed a couple of years back that Hill changed his mind and decided to play football at Georgia instead of basketball. Although it was his choice, I thought that he would be a for sure starter on the hardwood, whereas in football, he would struggle to break into the rotation.
Of course, I was much more disappointed that not only did Hill never see the football field, he ended up getting dismissed from the team by Coach Richt.
Hill has a second chance now, is concentrating on hoops, and seems to be coming into his own for the 14 and 3 Southwestern Illinois squad. Assuming that he stays focused and transfers to Minnesota, as expected, Tubby will be getting a good one.
Maybe by the time he is through with his college career, Hill will replace Mohamed Abukar on my "All Almost" team. What do you think?
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Walter Hill Lands
I'm all for giving a guy a second chance, so I'm glad that Walter Hill will be able to continue his education.
As readers know, Hill was a one-time basketball recruit for Dennis Felton. I had hoped that Hill would be able to come in and contribute right away, backing up Billy Humphrey at the 2-guard, and giving Georgia basketball a lock-down defender on the perimeter.
It was not to be. Before Hill signed his letter of intent with Coach Felton, he was recruited away from UGA's basketball program by UGA's football program.
Awkward.
Even more awkward was what happened next. Not too long after beginning his collegiate football career, Hill was dismissed by Coach Richt.
I was troubled by some of the remarks about what led up to the dismissal. The reported reason was that Hill was not committed to "doing things the Georgia way."
I won't repeat the rumors here, but I think it is pretty well accepted that you really, really have to mess up for Coach Richt to dismiss you outright.
I understand that Southwestern Illinois College is impressed by Hill's all-state credentials achieved in high school basketball and football. However, looking at the totality of the circumstances, I am not convinced that the sportswriter is correct in stating that SWIC "hit the jackpot." Hill is more like a good "scratch-off card." Lots of potential, but realizing it will take liberal doses of discernment, good luck, or both.
Bottom line: If he handles his business the right way, Hill can get back on his feet. The article indicates that he was placed at SWIC by the University of Minnesota. That makes it likely that after a year or two of junior college, Hill can go play basketball under Tubby Smith.
Hill has all of the physical tools (I always thought that basketball was probably the best fit for him and he seems to have come around to that line of thinking), and now he has a second chance. He can get things right, eventually compete in Division I basketball, and get his degree.
I hope he takes full advantage of it.
As readers know, Hill was a one-time basketball recruit for Dennis Felton. I had hoped that Hill would be able to come in and contribute right away, backing up Billy Humphrey at the 2-guard, and giving Georgia basketball a lock-down defender on the perimeter.
It was not to be. Before Hill signed his letter of intent with Coach Felton, he was recruited away from UGA's basketball program by UGA's football program.
Awkward.
Even more awkward was what happened next. Not too long after beginning his collegiate football career, Hill was dismissed by Coach Richt.
I was troubled by some of the remarks about what led up to the dismissal. The reported reason was that Hill was not committed to "doing things the Georgia way."
I won't repeat the rumors here, but I think it is pretty well accepted that you really, really have to mess up for Coach Richt to dismiss you outright.
I understand that Southwestern Illinois College is impressed by Hill's all-state credentials achieved in high school basketball and football. However, looking at the totality of the circumstances, I am not convinced that the sportswriter is correct in stating that SWIC "hit the jackpot." Hill is more like a good "scratch-off card." Lots of potential, but realizing it will take liberal doses of discernment, good luck, or both.
Bottom line: If he handles his business the right way, Hill can get back on his feet. The article indicates that he was placed at SWIC by the University of Minnesota. That makes it likely that after a year or two of junior college, Hill can go play basketball under Tubby Smith.
Hill has all of the physical tools (I always thought that basketball was probably the best fit for him and he seems to have come around to that line of thinking), and now he has a second chance. He can get things right, eventually compete in Division I basketball, and get his degree.
I hope he takes full advantage of it.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Walter Hill Dismissed
I have no idea what happened. Maybe Hill had serious enough injuries (broken hand and then broken bone in his foot) that he got discouraged and stopped going to class.
I will say this, I'm glad that if Hill couldn't adjust to college well, that it happened while playing for Richt, rather than Felton. Can you imagine what would have happened if Hill had honored his commitment to basketball, and then not done things "the Georgia way?" Folks who never follow the basketball team would have suddenly become energized and post on "these are Felton's recruits."
Since Hill is a Richt recruit, his dismissal doesn't matter as much to the average Dawg fan, despite the fact that Donovan Baldwin also was escorted from the football program on the same day, and in spite of the fact that there have been a lot of very serious off-field issues involving football players this year.
There's a double standard here somewhere, but I'll let it go.
I hope Hill gets it all together and plays some sport somewhere. I still believe it was a mistake for him to choose football over basketball. We all have to make our choices, whatever they are, and live with them, hopefully growing to be a better person in the end.
I will say this, I'm glad that if Hill couldn't adjust to college well, that it happened while playing for Richt, rather than Felton. Can you imagine what would have happened if Hill had honored his commitment to basketball, and then not done things "the Georgia way?" Folks who never follow the basketball team would have suddenly become energized and post on "these are Felton's recruits."
Since Hill is a Richt recruit, his dismissal doesn't matter as much to the average Dawg fan, despite the fact that Donovan Baldwin also was escorted from the football program on the same day, and in spite of the fact that there have been a lot of very serious off-field issues involving football players this year.
There's a double standard here somewhere, but I'll let it go.
I hope Hill gets it all together and plays some sport somewhere. I still believe it was a mistake for him to choose football over basketball. We all have to make our choices, whatever they are, and live with them, hopefully growing to be a better person in the end.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Walter Hill Update
Has a broken hand, according to the AJC. I think it said he'd be out 3 to 6 weeks.
They must be hitting out there. The football team just started working out with pads, and now people are injured already. I think Mike Moore, another receiver, is also down.
What this means for Hill and basketball? Probably nothing. Of course, the injury could push him out of the rotation even further, which could mean that he might, as a competitor, think again about playing hoops.
Such a longshot, it's hardly worth mentioning. But it is ironic that the day or two after my post about whether Hill should play basketball, he suffers a football-related injury. Deep.
They must be hitting out there. The football team just started working out with pads, and now people are injured already. I think Mike Moore, another receiver, is also down.
What this means for Hill and basketball? Probably nothing. Of course, the injury could push him out of the rotation even further, which could mean that he might, as a competitor, think again about playing hoops.
Such a longshot, it's hardly worth mentioning. But it is ironic that the day or two after my post about whether Hill should play basketball, he suffers a football-related injury. Deep.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Better Served Playing Hoops?
I still wonder about Walter Hill.
After initially committing to UGA for basketball, Hill was offered, and he accepted, a football scholarship from Mark Richt and Georgia's football program.
I'm not casting any blame, because there are always circumstances that are not apparent to everyone. It was still nonetheless somewhat disconcerting to learn that the football team, with all of their scholarships, had apparently gone around the basketball team to recruit one of the hoops squad's few permissible commits. Many competing basketball teams at other schools won't actively recruit a basketball player once he commits to Georgia. How, then, did one UGA sports program "cannibalize" another UGA team? As I understand, Dennis Felton was caught offguard by the football team's continued recruitment of Hill. Where was the breakdown? What happened to the communication?
Anyway, Hill is the kind of athlete that makes coaches want to compete for his services. He was named all-state during his football career at East Hall High School. He played wherever his team needed him most-- lining up behind center his junior year, and then swithching to receiver for his senior season.
As talented as Hill was in football, he was arguably even better on the hardwoods. He was named the AAA Basketball Player of the Year by the Georgia Sportswriters Association. He went for 40 points against a Columbia High School team that featured Division 1 talents, Jeremy Price, Lance Storrs, and Travis Leslie. Hill led his team to the state championship.
Since deciding to come to UGA for football, Hill finds himself pretty far back on the depth chart. After red-shirting last year, he begins 2008 fall practice as the 5th at his position, behind Kenneth Harris, Kris Durham, Tavarres King, and Demiko Goodman. Harris and Goodman are both seniors, so there is the possibility that Hill will have plenty of playing time, starting next year. But that's not a given. Georgia will surely recruit at least 3 more receivers to come in next fall.
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/7627/
Of course, Hill could end up moving up the depth chart this year based on his talent and hard work. Other players could be suspended. Or he could get lots of playing time this year because Georgia will use that many receivers in Mark Richt's attack. He could fill a role as a situation player, getting put into the game to run fade routes into the end zone, or to match up with teams who have short cornerbacks. It's hard to predict.
My guess is, though, that things will work out about as they appear now. Hill will get some playing time this year, but the majority of the minutes will go to the seniors, because they are seniors, or to the guys ahead of Hill because they are more natural receivers.
Seeing the way things are lining up and anticipating only limited playing time for Hill on the gridiron, it all makes me think of what could have been. I am sure that Hill would be starting at the shooting guard for Georgia, had he initially enrolled to play basketball. And he could still possibly play both sports-- football until the end of the season and depending upon his past playing time or projected future spot on the depth chart, join the basketball team as a walk-on some time in January. I doubt that he would opt to play basketball at all, but if he did, he has the ability to provide a boost to the hoops squad during the team's difficult SEC slate.
We'll see. And this will probably be my last post on the subject. Hill is a grown man. Makes his own decisions. Doesn't need me to second-guess them.
But with Billy Humphrey gone, UGA hoops sure could use some help this year. I think of Hill's basketball talent, look at the football depth chart, and I just wonder.
After initially committing to UGA for basketball, Hill was offered, and he accepted, a football scholarship from Mark Richt and Georgia's football program.
I'm not casting any blame, because there are always circumstances that are not apparent to everyone. It was still nonetheless somewhat disconcerting to learn that the football team, with all of their scholarships, had apparently gone around the basketball team to recruit one of the hoops squad's few permissible commits. Many competing basketball teams at other schools won't actively recruit a basketball player once he commits to Georgia. How, then, did one UGA sports program "cannibalize" another UGA team? As I understand, Dennis Felton was caught offguard by the football team's continued recruitment of Hill. Where was the breakdown? What happened to the communication?
Anyway, Hill is the kind of athlete that makes coaches want to compete for his services. He was named all-state during his football career at East Hall High School. He played wherever his team needed him most-- lining up behind center his junior year, and then swithching to receiver for his senior season.
As talented as Hill was in football, he was arguably even better on the hardwoods. He was named the AAA Basketball Player of the Year by the Georgia Sportswriters Association. He went for 40 points against a Columbia High School team that featured Division 1 talents, Jeremy Price, Lance Storrs, and Travis Leslie. Hill led his team to the state championship.
Since deciding to come to UGA for football, Hill finds himself pretty far back on the depth chart. After red-shirting last year, he begins 2008 fall practice as the 5th at his position, behind Kenneth Harris, Kris Durham, Tavarres King, and Demiko Goodman. Harris and Goodman are both seniors, so there is the possibility that Hill will have plenty of playing time, starting next year. But that's not a given. Georgia will surely recruit at least 3 more receivers to come in next fall.
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/7627/
Of course, Hill could end up moving up the depth chart this year based on his talent and hard work. Other players could be suspended. Or he could get lots of playing time this year because Georgia will use that many receivers in Mark Richt's attack. He could fill a role as a situation player, getting put into the game to run fade routes into the end zone, or to match up with teams who have short cornerbacks. It's hard to predict.
My guess is, though, that things will work out about as they appear now. Hill will get some playing time this year, but the majority of the minutes will go to the seniors, because they are seniors, or to the guys ahead of Hill because they are more natural receivers.
Seeing the way things are lining up and anticipating only limited playing time for Hill on the gridiron, it all makes me think of what could have been. I am sure that Hill would be starting at the shooting guard for Georgia, had he initially enrolled to play basketball. And he could still possibly play both sports-- football until the end of the season and depending upon his past playing time or projected future spot on the depth chart, join the basketball team as a walk-on some time in January. I doubt that he would opt to play basketball at all, but if he did, he has the ability to provide a boost to the hoops squad during the team's difficult SEC slate.
We'll see. And this will probably be my last post on the subject. Hill is a grown man. Makes his own decisions. Doesn't need me to second-guess them.
But with Billy Humphrey gone, UGA hoops sure could use some help this year. I think of Hill's basketball talent, look at the football depth chart, and I just wonder.
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