Catching Up with Tim Hill `99

Perhaps the best way of looking at Harvard basketball's future is reflecting on the Crimson's recent past. No one better personifies the successes of the last few years than Tim Hill '99.

Hill graduated as one of the most celebrated players in Crimson history, and his impressive list of awards and accomplishments places the former point guard's place among Harvard's all-time greats.

Hill started all 103 games of a four-year career that began in 1995. He owns the school assists record (590) and is the Crimson's seventh all-time leading scorer with 1,385 points.

In 1998-99, Hill led the team with 16.0 points per game and a 6.6 assist-per-game mark that was 10th in the country.

In a career with many highlights, one performance stands out.

"The best moment of my career was senior night," Hill said. "Beating Princeton in overtime in front of a sold-out crowd was a great way to go. It was the first time we had beaten Princeton in my career."

With that win, the Crimson solidified the Hill Era's place in the annals of Harvard history. In the same game, Hill became Harvard's all-time assist leader.

If Hill's crowning moment came in his final game against the Tigers, his most cherished memories span all four of his years in Cambridge.

"My fondest memories come from simply being on a team and working towards goals," Hill said. "It's very rewarding to become a tight unit and achieve goals that so much time and energy are put towards."

Hill's hard work paid off in more ways than one. The point guard was selected for the First Team All-Ivy League Team, and was a Second Team National Association of Basketball Coaches All-District choice as well. The 5'11 point guard also garnered the Bob Cousy Award, given to New England's Best Player under 6'.

Even more impressive was Hill's winning of the 1999 Chip Hilton Award. The distinction is given to a Division I men's basketball player who, in demonstrating strong personal character, meets the competitive and ethical standards that were the theme of the 23-book Chip Hilton series.

As expected, Hill's success on and off the court continued after leaving Harvard's gates.

The Crimson standout played professionally in the Dutch league for Rotterdam for a season, competing against teams from the Netherlands and across Europe.

"Playing professionally was a fantastic experience," Hill said. "Having the opportunity to play past the college level is rare, so I jumped at the chance when it was presented to me."

Hill played for Rotterdam from early August 1999 to April of this year.

"The competition was better than most people would think," Hill said. "Every team was allowed a maximum of three foreigners, so in most cases, there were three top-notch American players on each team."

The level of talent Hill encountered tested his ability and lent a sense of closure to a great career on the hardwood.

"This made the season even more rewarding for me," Hill said. "Seeing that I was able to compete and play with other professionals from the States, many of whom I had seen play on major Division I teams."

Hill's importance to the Crimson and impact on the game can be measured not only by what he did for the Crimson during his years in uniform, but by the legacy he has left the Crimson's basketball program.

"Tim came into the program at a time when we were wallowing around and we didn't have great consistency at the point guard position," Coach Frank Sullivan said. "What was great about Tim is that he established a level of play that others were able to follow. Specifically, Tim set the standard for our point guards today."

Perhaps Hill's greatest gift to Harvard basketball was the personality and character he brought to the team.

"Coaching Tim was really special to me, and so is the relationship I have had with him since he graduated," Sullivan says.

In retrospect, Hill sees his days as a star player as part of the preparation he needed in order to accomplish his off-court goals later in life.

"I'm satisfied and proud that I reached the professional level, and I feel ready to take on different challenges," Hill said. "I knew I wasn't going to be a professional basketball player all my life, so I figured I'd start my 'real life' sooner than later."

Hill's real life currently finds him trading stocks for Goldman Sachs in New York. He attributes much of what he learned on the court in helping him in his new business endeavors.

"Basketball was great preparation for becoming a trader," Hill said. "A trader needs to exhibit a similar set of skills to that of a point guard. Both need to be aggressive, competitive, team-oriented, and quick-thinking."

Now that Hill is back in the States, he will be able to keep a sharper eye on the team he helped mold during his four years with the Crimson.

"I'm excited to be back this year," Hill says. "I can catch my first Harvard hoops game as a graduate."

It is possible that Hill's return to Harvard as spectator will have a positive effect on this year's team. Whatever his impact, Hill is optimistic about the Crimson's chances.

"Coach Sullivan always does a good job of getting players ready for the year," Hill says. "With the veterans all healthy and many of the young guys with one year under their belt, it should be a season full of wins."

"I'm looking forward to watching," Hill admits. "Even if [sophomore point guard] Elliott [Prasse-Freeman] is running around with my number on."