Grant Hill went back to high school last week.
For a good reason.
The former college and NBA star basketball player, who also is a co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks, had his high school number retired by South Lakes High in Reston, Va. on Friday.
No. 32 – not the familiar No. 33 – will not be worn again by a South Lakes Seahawks basketball player.
“It is both an honor and humbling to have my jersey retired by South Lakes High School,” Hill told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I am truly appreciative to my Seahawks teammates, coaches, teachers and schoolmates who pushed me to be my best. The South Lakes community had a huge impact on me both on and off the court and its influence made me a better basketball player and person.”
Hill played four seasons at Duke, from 1990-94, after leaving South Lakes and won two national championships and was a two-time All-American. He played 18 seasons in the NBA with Pistons, Magic, Suns and Clippers after being the No. 3 overall pick in 1994.
Hill was part of the group, led by Tony Ressler, who purchased the Hawks in 2015.
Hill was the Washington Post’s Player of the Year as a senior in 1990. He led South Lakes to the state semifinals in both his junior and senior seasons.
“This place rocked every Tuesday and Friday, and not just with South Lakes and Reston people. Everybody came for one reason, to see Grant play,” Kent Harris, who taught Hill’s English class as a senior, told the Washington Post. “Grant took the subjects very, very seriously and was exceptionally humble. Almost too humble. He didn’t expect anything because he was a star on the court or a star in the community.”
According to the Washington Post, Hill wore No. 32 because that was the number of Michael Jackson, a 1982 South Lakes graduate who won a national title at Georgetown. Christian Laettner wore No. 32 at Duke when Hill arrived. Hill’s jersey was also retired by Duke in 1994. Hill wore No. 33 throughout his entire college and pro career.
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