Solomon Hill: Mr. Fastbreak
by Steve Rivera on Nov. 15, 2009, under SportsSolomon Hill is sneaky. Or, maybe a better word is deceptive.
First, he doesn’t look 6-foot-6. He looks like he’s 6-8 or bigger and a bit like former University of Arizona power forward Michael Wright.
Second, he doesn’t look like a guy who can go end-to-end in a matter of seconds. Don’t get me wrong he’s athletic (he’s no Khalid Reeves) and all but one end to the other in a matter of seconds?
“I do a little bit of everything,’’ said Hill, who led UA with 17 points and eight rebounds in its 87-70 win against Northern Arizona at McKale Center. “If I can hit the open shot I take it. If I can blow past them I’ll blow past them. … I like it because if you play me one way I can take it another way. It’s fun for me.’’
Sunday must have been a blast. He didn’t show it though in the postgame interview. But it was – again – a bit surprising to see this guy (this big guy) dribble from one end of the court to the other with relative ease and score on a lay-up. Heck, he said, it was common practice in high school.
Mr. Versatile.
“That’s why I talked to coach (about) coming here,’’ he said of Arizona. “… just grabbing the ball and going before everyone gets back.’’
Get it and go. You wouldn’t think that of Hill. Mr. Deceptive.
But Miller gives him enough wiggle room to make a decision on the get-it-and-go play. Miller said he gives a number of players that right to make a decision to go end to end.
“He’s one of our best ball handlers,’’ Miller said. “And he’s one of our best passers. He’s a fun guy to coach. He can pick things up.’’
Perhaps so that he’s not criticized later. After the game, he kind of joked that he played well and wanted to “do everything right’’ because “I didn’t want them (UA coaches) to say anything bad when we watch films. I just went out and played.’’
And was impressive in the process.
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