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 and Orlando Pride, and recently became part of the ownership group of the Baltimore Orioles. Beyond his ownership roles, Hill serves as a basketball analyst for CBS and Turner Sports. His career has transitioned from being a prominent athlete to a sports executive and media personality.
1966: First Piston Since Dave Bing to Win the Award
In 1966–67, Dave Bing was the last time that the Pistons to win the award.
1972: Donation to Day Care Center
In 1972, 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 1981–82, Isiah Thomas was the last time that the Pistons rookie scored 1,000 points.
1989: Hill First Player Since Larry Bird to Average 20 Points, 9 Rebounds, and 7 Assists
In 1989–90, Larry Bird was the last time that the player 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.
1994: Pistons Missing the Playoffs
In 1994–95 seasons, Pistons Missing the Playoffs.
1995: Led All-Star Fan Balloting
In 1995, Grant Hill led the All-Star fan balloting, edging out Michael Jordan.
1995: NBA Rookie of the Year Award
In 1995, Grant Hill was the co-winner of the NBA Rookie of the Year Award along with Jason Kidd, recognizing his impressive debut season in the NBA.
1995: Assumed role of "point forward" in Detroit
In 1995-96 NBA seasons, Hill assumed the role of a "point forward" in Detroit, running the Pistons' offense.
1996: Named to All-NBA Second Team
In 1996, Grant Hill was named to the All-NBA Second Team, acknowledging his significant contributions to the Detroit Pistons.
1996: Gold Medal at 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 the First Round
In 1996, Pistons Lost in the First Round.
1997: Named to All-NBA First Team
In 1997, Grant Hill was named to the All-NBA First Team, recognizing his exceptional performance and contributions to the Detroit Pistons.
1997: Pistons Lost in the First Round
In 1997, Pistons Lost in the First Round.
1998: Named to All-NBA Second Team
In 1998, Grant Hill was named to the All-NBA Second Team for the second time, continuing to be recognized for his performance in the NBA.
1998: Selected to play in the 1998 FIBA World Championship
In 1998, Hill was selected to play in the FIBA World Championship, but in the end, no NBA players played in this tournament due to the lockout.
1999: Named to All-NBA Second Team
In 1999, Grant Hill was named to the All-NBA Second Team for the third time, reaffirming his status as a top player in the NBA.
1999: Special Olympic World Summer Games
In 1999, Grant Hill was the Vice-Chairman for the Board of Directors of the Special Olympic World Summer Games.
1999: Leading team in points, rebounds and assists
In 1999, Hill joined 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.
1999: Pistons Lost in the First Round
In 1999, Pistons Lost in the First Round.
August 3, 2000: Sign-and-Trade Deal to Orlando Magic
On August 3, 2000, Grant Hill was involved in a sign-and-trade deal that sent him to the Orlando Magic, with the Pistons receiving Chucky Atkins and Ben Wallace in return.
2000: Playoff drought for Hill
In 2000, Grant Hill had not been in the playoffs for a while.
2000: Named to All-NBA Second Team
In 2000, Grant Hill was named to the All-NBA Second Team for the fourth time, showcasing his consistent excellence and impact in the league.
2002: Solid Production to Play
In 2002–03 NBA season, 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.
2003: Former Team Pistons Defeated the Magic
In 2003, Grant Hill's former team, the Pistons, defeated the Magic in the playoffs.
2003: African-American Art Exhibition
In 2003, a selection of 46 works from Grant Hill's collection of African-American art, focusing on Romare Bearden and Elizabeth Catlett, was featured in a touring exhibition.
2003: MRSA Awareness Advocacy
In 2003, after contracting a life-threatening MRSA infection, Grant Hill became an advocate for MRSA awareness and prevention, appearing in public service announcements.
2004: Support for John Kerry
In 2004, Grant Hill publicly supported John Kerry's presidential campaign.
2004: Eastern Conference All-Star Selection and Joe Dumars Trophy
In 2004, Grant Hill was selected as an All-Star starter and received the Joe Dumars Trophy for sportsmanship, marking a significant achievement during his time with the Magic.
2004: Pistons Won Championship
In 2004, Pistons won the championship the following year in 2004.
2005: Eastern Conference All-Star Selection
In 2005, as a member of the Orlando Magic, Grant Hill was selected to the Eastern Conference All-Star Team, marking a high point in his career after recovering from injury.
2006: Injury Comeback Rumors
In 2006, Grant Hill came back from injuries, despite rumors of his retirement. He sought ankle rotation therapy and regained much motion in his left ankle.
2006: Art Exhibition at Duke University
In 2006, the touring exhibition of Grant Hill's African-American art collection was last shown at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University, his alma mater.
July 1, 2007: Free Agency
On July 1, 2007, Grant Hill became an unrestricted free agent.
2007: Playoff Appearance and Future Decisions
In 2007, Grant Hill made his first playoff appearance since 2000 with the Orlando Magic, who were swept by the Detroit Pistons. Following this, Hill was undecided about his future, considering returning to the Magic, signing with another team, or retiring.
2008: Support for Barack Obama
In 2008, Grant Hill publicly supported Barack Obama's presidential bid.
July 10, 2009: Re-Signing with the Suns
On July 10, 2009, Grant Hill re-signed with the Phoenix Suns for a 2-year deal, foregoing offers from the New York Knicks and Boston Celtics.
2009: Full Season Appearance
In 2009, Grant Hill appeared in all 82 games for the first time in his career, averaging 12.0 ppg, 4.90 rpg, and 2.3 apg for the Phoenix Suns.
2010: Option Exercised and Roster Changes
In 2010, Grant Hill exercised his option for the 2010–11 season. The Suns underwent major roster changes, with Amar'e Stoudemire leaving and others joining the team.
2010: Western Conference Finals Appearance
In 2010, Grant Hill played in the Western Conference Finals as a member of the Phoenix Suns, reaching a significant milestone in his later career.
2010: Playoff Series Victory
In 2010, the Phoenix Suns, with Grant Hill, advanced to the Western Conference Semifinals, marking Hill's first playoff series victory after 15 years in the league. They later lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.
January 15, 2011: 16,000 Career Points
On January 15, 2011, Grant Hill surpassed 16,000 career points 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, after his contract with the Suns expired, Grant Hill signed a contract with the Los Angeles Clippers.
2012: Support for Barack Obama's Re-election
In 2012, Grant Hill publicly supported Barack Obama's presidential re-election bid.
January 12, 2013: Clippers Debut
On January 12, 2013, Grant Hill made his debut with the Los Angeles Clippers against the Orlando Magic, after recovering from 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, concluding a distinguished career marked by both triumphs and challenges.
2013: NBA Inside Stuff Host
In 2013, Grant Hill began hosting NBA Inside Stuff on NBA TV.
June 24, 2015: Hawks Co-Owner
On June 24, 2015, Grant Hill became a co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks franchise as part of a group that purchased the team for $850 million.
2015: CBS Announcing Team
In 2015, Grant Hill was named to the lead announcing team for CBS and Turner Sports' coverage of the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
2016: Russell Westbrook Duplicates Hill's Achievement
In 2016–17 NBA season, Russell Westbrook duplicated Hill's achievement average a triple-double.
2018: Induction into Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
In 2018, Grant Hill was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, recognizing his outstanding basketball career.
April 3, 2021: Managing Director of USA Men's National Team
On April 3, 2021, Grant Hill was named the managing director of the USA Men's National Basketball Team, succeeding Jerry Colangelo after the Tokyo Olympics.
January 2024: Orioles Purchase Group
In January 2024, Grant Hill was included in the group that purchased the Baltimore Orioles.
