Published May 4, 2005
Who is Jordan Hill
Justin Young
RivalsHoops.com Recruiting Analyst
Who is Jordan Hill? That seems to be the question college coaches have been asking since watching the 6-foot-8, 210-pound power forward in action at the Kingwood Classic.
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The come from nowhere prospect was one of the biggest surprises at one of the biggest tournaments in the country. His performance shouldn't come as a big surprise really.
Hill's Smyrna Stars AAU program is one of the best programs for finding national sleepers. Their players seem to break out on the national scene at the Kingwood Classic. That is where Korvotney Barber started his quest to become a McDonald's All-American. This year at the Kingwood, Hill's performance was somewhat similar to Barber did last year.
Several coaches stopped asking who he was and started asking how can we get involved, according to his legal guardian Keith Ivy.
"It's been busy, busy, busy," said Ivy. "A lot of people have come by to see him at the school and a lot of people have offered a scholarship."
Hill picked up offers from Arizona, Clemson, Virginia and Xavier soon after the Kingwood while Georgia, Georgia State, Georgia Tech, South Florida, Vanderbilt and Virginia Tech upped their efforts.
Ivy says Arizona has been the most active school in the recruiting process so far and a trip to Tucson is in the works next week.
"They immediately said they wanted him and they've been very aggressive from the beginning," Ivy said. "It's a strong possibility (that Hill may commit on the visit) but we're keep our options open. I know Jordan is very impressed with Arizona. I think it's just going to be a matter of getting a good feel for it when we are out there."
Hill said he likes everything he's heard about Lute Olson's program so far.
"It might be the school I go to," Hill said. "I like the coaching staff a lot there. They are really good people. I like their academics program and they have a lot of people in the NBA and there is a good opportunity for me to do that there."
"I probably will though," Hill said of a possible verbal commitment to the Wildcats.
It's no wonder why coaches like Olson liked his potential upon first watching Hill. The big man shined on the defensive end of the floor, blocking shots, stopping attempted dunks at the rim and rebounding everything that came off of the rim.
A long and athletic forward, Hill has a world of potential on the offensive side of the ball. Like Barber, his scoring ability is still being developing but his raw skills are tremendous.
Consider the fact he has never played varsity basketball after bouncing around from Ohio, South Carolina and Georgia. Hill said he was not on top of his game at the Kingwood because his trip to Houston was a less than exciting first time on an airplane.
"I thought I played good. I can do better because the flight out there had me trippin'" Hill said. "There was a part on the plane that broke or something and it was my first time flying. Plus we dropped a couple of times. I was okay though as long as we didn't crash. I just wanted to get to Houston."
Arizona is glad he made it. Hill might just be the next Wildcat.
Now enrolled at North Springs High School in metro Atlanta and maintaining solid grades, Hill said he may transfer to Kennesaw Mountain High School or a prep school next season and play his senior season.
The big man will be back in action on the AAU circuit with the Stars when they travel to the North Carolina Triangle for the Tournament of Champions on Memorial Day Weekend.