Big 12 offer for 2006 Nebraska forward

Nebraska usually has to go out of state to find high major prospects, but the Cornhuskers will have to work hard to keep three-star 2006 power forward prospect Matt Hill from leaving the state. Hill, 6-foot-10, 225-pounds, from Lincoln Southeast (Neb.) High School, already has an offer from his hometown school and serious interest from other high majors.

“Nebraska has already offered Matt,” said Hill’s high school head coach Jeff Smith. “Purdue and Colorado State came in this fall to watch him. Oregon was supposed to come in, but a conflict arose at the last minute. And Kansas invited him in this summer, and he had the opportunity to play with some of their players.

“The Kansas trip was a great experience for him. He learned that he needs more strength and explosiveness to get himself to that level of play. He really got a lot out of playing with those guys and by playing with the Nebraska guys.”

Hill, who averaged 12 points, 8 rebounds and 3 blocks per game last season for his state semifinalist team, is a promising prospect with both athleticism and a solid skill package.

“One of his strengths is shot blocking,” said Smith. “He is an athletic big man who can run the floor, is active on defense and can score at the basket.

“He is working on expanding his game to be more of a face up threat who can hit threes as the trailer. He can hit threes but has just never done it for us in games yet. He is also working on his ball handling, putting it on the floor and passing. He already passes the ball well out of the post and has good hands.”

At this point, Hill is looking to expand his list of schools with a strong junior campaign.

“He just wants to get the season going and see who else offers,” said Smith. “He should get at least four or five solid high major offers. Then he will probably look to take some visits this spring.

Hill carries a 3.4 GPA and runs with the Nebraska Bison AAU program.