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 co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks. He also holds ownership stakes in Orlando City SC (MLS), Orlando Pride (NWSL), and the Baltimore Orioles (MLB). Beyond his ownership roles, Hill serves 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: First Piston since Dave Bing to win Rookie of the Year Award

In 1966, Dave Bing won Rookie of the Year Award. Grant Hill became the first Piston since Dave Bing in 1966–67 to win the award.

1972: Day Care Center Donation

In 1972, Grant Hill donated funds to the day care center established by his father Calvin in New Haven, Connecticut.

1981: First Pistons rookie since Isiah Thomas to score 1,000 points.

In 1981, Isiah Thomas scored 1,000 points. Grant Hill became the first Piston since Isiah Thomas in 1981–82 to score 1,000 points.

1989: Last player since Larry Bird averaged 20 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists

Larry Bird was the last player in 1989-90 to average 20 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists in a season.

1994: Drafted by Detroit Pistons

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

1995: Led All-Star Fan Balloting

In 1995, Grant Hill led the All-Star fan balloting.

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.

1995: Assumed role of point forward

In Detroit, Grant Hill assumed the role of a point forward in 1995.

1996: Named to the All-NBA Second Team

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

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.

1997: Named to the All-NBA First Team

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

1998: Named to the All-NBA Second Team

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

1998: Selected to play in the FIBA World Championship

Grant Hill was selected to play in the 1998 FIBA World Championship.

1999: Named to the All-NBA Second Team

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

1999: Vice-Chairman for Special Olympic World Summer Games

In 1999, Grant Hill served as a Vice-Chairman for the Board of Directors of the Special Olympic World Summer Games held in Durham, Raleigh and Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

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.

August 3, 2000: Sign-and-Trade Deal to Orlando Magic

On August 3, 2000, a sign-and-trade deal allowed Grant Hill to receive a more lucrative contract while the Pistons received compensation for losing him, as he signed with the Orlando Magic.

2000: Named to the All-NBA Second Team

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

2000: Playoff Appearance

In 2000, Grant Hill made his first playoff appearance since joining the Orlando Magic, marking his first playoff appearance with the team.

2002: Solid Production when he was able to play

Despite missing so much time due to injury during his first seasons in Orlando, Hill still 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 Awareness Advocate

After contracting a life-threatening MRSA infection in 2003, Grant Hill became an advocate for MRSA awareness and prevention, appearing in public service announcements for Stop MRSA Now!.

2003: Pistons defeated the Magic in the 2003 playoffs.

Grant Hill's former team, the Pistons, defeated the Magic in the 2003 playoffs.

2004: Named Eastern Conference Player of the Week and All-Star Starter

During the 2004–05 season, Grant Hill was named the Eastern Conference player of the week for November 15–21, 2004. Fans also voted him an All-Star starter again, and he was awarded the Joe Dumars Trophy.

2004: Pistons won the championship

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

2005: Eastern Conference All-Star Team Selection

In 2005, Grant Hill made the Eastern Conference All-Star Team as a member of the Orlando Magic.

2006: Returning from Injuries

In 2006, Grant Hill returned from injuries despite retirement rumors, after receiving ankle rotation therapy. He started at shooting guard for the Orlando Magic.

July 1, 2007: Unrestricted Free Agent

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

2007: Potential End of Career with the Magic

In 2007, after the Orlando Magic were swept by the Detroit Pistons in the playoffs, Grant Hill was undecided on whether to return to the Magic for the 2007-08 season, sign with another team, or retire.

2008: Season with the Phoenix Suns

In 2008, Grant Hill played for the Phoenix Suns.

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, despite offers from the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics.

2009: Appearing in All Games

In 2009, Grant Hill appeared in all 82 games, marking the first time in his career he played in every game of the season.

2010: Exercising Option for 2010-11 Season

In 2010, Grant Hill exercised his option for the 2010-11 season with the Phoenix Suns, during which the team underwent significant roster changes.

2010: Western Conference Finals Appearance

In 2010, Grant Hill played in the Western Conference Finals with the Phoenix Suns.

2010: Playoff Series Victory

In 2010, the Phoenix Suns advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals, marking Grant Hill's first playoff series victory after 15 years in the NBA. They swept the San Antonio Spurs before losing to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.

January 15, 2011: Passing 16,000 Career Points

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

December 9, 2011: Staying with the Phoenix Suns

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: Signing with the Clippers

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

January 12, 2013: Debut with the Clippers

On January 12, 2013, Grant Hill made his debut with the Los Angeles Clippers against the Orlando Magic, after being sidelined for three months due to a bruised bone in his right knee.

June 1, 2013: Retirement from the NBA

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

2013: Host of NBA Inside Stuff

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

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June 24, 2015: Becoming 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 to sell the franchise to a group led by Tony Ressler.

2015: Part Owner of Atlanta Hawks

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

2015: Announcer for NCAA 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 averaged a triple-double

Russell Westbrook was the only player since Larry Bird in 1989-90 that duplicated 20 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists when he averaged a triple-double in the 2016–17 NBA season.