Hill.
Arizona junior forward Jordan Hill has decided to leave UA and will make his name eligible for the NBA draft in the summer.
“I just want to thank the fans of Tucson, my coaches and my teammates for all of their support,” said Hill in a statement released through the University of Arizona.
“Playing at Arizona has been a great experience and puts me in the position to move to the next level.,” he said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the NBA.”
Hill has hired an agent, so he cannot return to UA.
In three seasons at Arizona, Hill averaged 12.5 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocked shots per game in 97 career appearances (79 starts). He connected on 57.8 percent of his field goal attempts (494-of-855) in that span, a figure that ranks fifth on the UA career field goal percentage list.
It’s been thought since the season started Hill will at least “test the waters” when it came to the NBA. He said it again publicly after UA was eliminated from the NCAA tournament in the Sweet 16.
Hill, considered a project when he first signed with UA, turned into one of the country’s best big men this season. He averaged 18.1 points and 11 rebounds for UA, which finished 21-14. On Tuesday, after Sean Miller’s press conference Hill was coy with an official word on his decision.
Teammate Chase Budinger declared for the NBA on Tuesday.