Career Timeline of Grant Hill: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Grant Hill built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Grant Hill is a former NBA player, now a basketball executive and sports team owner. He co-owns the Atlanta Hawks and has ownership stakes in Orlando City SC (MLS) and Orlando Pride (NWSL). He is also part of the ownership group that purchased the Baltimore Orioles in 2024. Additionally, Hill works as a basketball analyst for CBS and Turner Sports.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1966: Dave Bing Won the Award

In 1966, Dave Bing became the first Piston since 1966-67 to win the award.

1966: UCLA's Consecutive National Title Wins

In 1966, UCLA began a streak of consecutive national titles that would last until 1973, a feat matched by Duke in 1991 and 1992.

1981: Isiah Thomas Scored 1,000 Points

In 1981, Isiah Thomas became the first Pistons rookie since 1981-82 to score 1,000 points.

1989: Larry Bird Accomplishment

In 1989, Larry Bird became the first player since 1989-90 to average 20 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in a season, an accomplishment that had not been duplicated until Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double in the 2016-17 NBA season.

1991: National Title Win at Duke

In 1991, Grant Hill won a national title with Duke University's basketball team.

1992: Consecutive National Title Win

In 1992, Grant Hill and Duke University won their second consecutive national title, a feat not achieved since UCLA in 1966-73.

1992: Role in the Hail Mary play against Kentucky

In 1992, Grant Hill played a crucial role in the Hail Mary play in the NCAA tournament regional final against Kentucky, considered one of the greatest college basketball games. Hill inbounded the ball 75 feet to Christian Laettner for the game-winning shot.

1993: Henry Iba Corinthian Award

In 1993, Grant Hill won the Henry Iba Corinthian Award as the nation's top defensive player.

1993: Michael Jordan Retires

In 1993, Michael Jordan retired before returning for his first All-Star game in 1995.

1994: Selected by Pistons in NBA draft

After graduating in 1994, Grant Hill was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the third overall pick in the NBA draft.

1994: ACC Player of the Year

In 1994, Grant Hill was named ACC Player of the Year. Hill also led Duke to the championship game once again, but lost to the Arkansas Razorbacks.

1994: Pistons Missed the Playoffs

In 1994, The Pistons missed the playoffs.

1994: Drafted by the Detroit Pistons

In 1994, after graduating from Duke, Grant Hill was drafted by the Detroit Pistons with the third pick in the NBA draft.

1995: Point Forward Role in Detroit

From 1995, Grant Hill assumed the role of a "point forward" in Detroit, running the Pistons' offense.

1995: Led All-Star Fan Balloting

In 1995, Grant Hill led the All-Star fan balloting, becoming the first rookie in any of the four major professional sports leagues to lead all-star fan voting.

1995: NBA Rookie of the Year Award

In 1995, Grant Hill was the co-winner of the NBA Rookie of the Year Award with Jason Kidd.

1996: All-NBA Second Team

In 1996, Grant Hill was named to the All-NBA Second Team.

1996: Gold Medal at the Summer Olympics

In 1996, Grant Hill won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta as a member of the U.S. men's basketball team.

1996: Pistons Lost in First Round

In 1996, The Pistons lost in the first round of playoffs.

1997: All-NBA First Team

In 1997, Grant Hill was named to the All-NBA First Team.

1997: Pistons Lost in First Round

In 1997, The Pistons lost in the first round of playoffs.

1998: All-NBA Second Team

In 1998, Grant Hill was named to the All-NBA Second Team.

1998: Selected to Play in FIBA World Championship

In 1998, Grant Hill was selected to play in the 1998 FIBA World Championship, although NBA players did not participate due to the lockout.

1999: Vice-Chairman for Special Olympic World Summer Games

In 1999, Grant Hill served as Vice-Chairman for the Board of Directors of the Special Olympic World Summer Games.

1999: All-NBA Second Team

In 1999, Grant Hill was named to the All-NBA Second Team.

1999: Pistons Lost in First Round

In 1999, The Pistons lost in the first round of playoffs.

1999: Led Team in Points, Rebounds, and Assists

In the lockout-shortened 1999 season, Grant Hill led his team in points, rebounds, and assists for the third time, joining Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor as the only players in NBA history at the time to lead their teams in scoring, rebounding and assists more than once.

August 3, 2000: Sign-and-trade deal to the Orlando Magic

On August 3, 2000, a sign-and-trade deal allowed Grant Hill to receive a lucrative contract while Detroit received compensation for losing him. The Pistons signed Hill to a seven-year, $92.8 million contract and traded him to Orlando for Chucky Atkins and Ben Wallace.

2000: Playoff Appearance

In 2000, Grant Hill reached the playoffs for the first time in years with the Orlando Magic.

2000: All-NBA Second Team

In 2000, Grant Hill was named to the All-NBA Second Team.

2002: Hill Provided Solid Production

In 2002, Hill provided solid production when he was able to play, averaging 18.0 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per 36 minutes during the 2002-03 NBA season.

2003: MRSA Advocate

After contracting a life-threatening MRSA infection in 2003, Grant Hill became an advocate for the awareness and prevention of MRSA.

2003: African-American Art Collection Exhibition

In 2003, Grant Hill's collection of African-American art was featured in a touring exhibition.

2003: Pistons Defeated the Magic

In 2003, Grant Hill's former team, the Pistons, defeated the Magic in the playoffs, but ended up losing to the New Jersey Nets in the Eastern Conference Finals.

2004: Support for John Kerry

In 2004, Grant Hill publicly supported John Kerry's presidential campaign.

2004: Pistons Won the Championship

In 2004, Grant Hill's former team, the Detroit Pistons, won the NBA championship the following year in 2004.

2004: Played 67 Games for the Magic

In the 2004-05 season, Grant Hill started and played 67 games for the Orlando Magic despite being hampered by a bruised left shin. Also, after the season, Hill was awarded the Joe Dumars Trophy presented to the NBA Sportsmanship Award Winner.

2005: Eastern Conference All-Star

In 2005, Grant Hill made the Eastern Conference All-Star Team as a member of the Orlando Magic, marking a high point after recovering from his ankle injury.

2006: Exhibition End

In 2006, the exhibition of 46 works from Grant Hill's African-American art collection concluded at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University.

July 1, 2007: Free Agency

On July 1, 2007, Grant Hill became an unrestricted free agent.

2007: Season End

At the end of the 2006-2007 season, Grant Hill was undecided on whether to return to the Magic, sign with another team, or retire.

2008: Full season

In 2008, Grant Hill appeared in all 82 games for the first time in his career.

2008: Support for Barack Obama

In 2008, Grant Hill publicly supported Barack Obama's presidential bid.

July 10, 2009: Re-Signing with the Phoenix Suns

On July 10, 2009, Grant Hill decided to re-sign with the Phoenix Suns for a 2-year deal.

2009: Season Finale

During the 2008-2009 season, Grant Hill scored 27 points and 10 rebounds in the Suns' season finale.

2010: Option Exercised and Roster Changes

In 2010, Grant Hill exercised his option for the 2010–11 season, and the Suns underwent two major roster changes.

2010: Western Conference Finals

In 2010, Grant Hill played in the Western Conference Finals with the Phoenix Suns, showcasing his continued career after his ankle injury.

2010: Playoff Series Victory

In 2010, Grant Hill won his first playoff series victory, making him the first NBA player in history to win his first playoff series after 15 years in the league.

January 15, 2011: Career Points Milestone

On January 15, 2011, Grant Hill passed the 16,000 career points milestone in a win over the Portland Trail Blazers.

December 9, 2011: Phoenix Suns Contract

On December 9, 2011, Grant Hill decided to stay with the Phoenix Suns for one year, accepting a $6.5 million contract.

July 18, 2012: Signs with the Clippers

On July 18, 2012, after his contract with the Suns expired, Grant Hill signed a contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.

2012: Support for Barack Obama

In 2012, Grant Hill publicly supported Barack Obama's presidential bid.

January 12, 2013: Clippers Debut

On January 12, 2013, Grant Hill made his debut with the Clippers against the Orlando Magic.

June 1, 2013: Retirement from the NBA

On June 1, 2013, Grant Hill announced his retirement from the NBA after 19 seasons.

2013: Host of NBA Inside Stuff

In 2013, Grant Hill began hosting NBA Inside Stuff on NBA TV.

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June 24, 2015: Co-Owner of the Atlanta Hawks

On June 24, 2015, Grant Hill became a co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks after a deal was approved by the NBA Board of Governors to sell the franchise.

2015: Part of ownership group that purchased the Atlanta Hawks

In 2015, Grant Hill and Tony Ressler became part of an ownership group that purchased the Atlanta Hawks.

2015: Announcing Team for NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

In 2015, Grant Hill was named to the lead announcing team for CBS and Turner Sports' joint coverage of the NCAA men's basketball tournament.

2016: Russell Westbrook Triple-Double

In 2016, Russell Westbrook averaged a triple-double in the 2016-17 NBA season, becoming the first player since Larry Bird in 1989-90 to average 20 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in a season.