Solomon Hill leads Arizona in three major statistical categories. Photo by Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE
Arizona Wildcats forward Solomon Hill was selected as the Pac-12 Player of the Week on Monday, his second such honor this month.
Hill led Arizona to a pair of victories last week, including scoring a career-high 23 points vs. Oakland in what coach Sean Miller said was the junior’s best game as a Wildcat.
Hill followed up with 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists, a block and a steal in a victory over Bryant.
“He has as big of a motor to be a great player as maybe any kid I’ve been around,” Miller said last week after the victory over Oakland.
“Once in a while that motor can work against him because he wants it so bad that he almost self-imposes pressure. But Solomon is always ready. And if things don’t go well, he takes it hard.
But his work ethic and his desire, the way he practices, it’s just great to see the way he played.”
Hill averaged 18 points, 9 rebounds and 3.5 assists in the two victories last week. He shot 58.3 percent from the field (14 of 24).
He is the closest thing Arizona has to a go-to guy, although Miller said to not judge him solely on his scoring output.
“The ‘go-to’ for Solomon doesn’t mean 20 points,” Miller said.
“It means 20 points, seven rebounds, three assists, a steal, playing two positions, making big free throws, taking a charge. He is comprehensive in his approach. I think when you evaluate him, you want to evaluate him on all categories. …
“His gift as a player is his versatility.”
Hill is winning Arizona’s “Triple Crown,” leading the Wildcats in scoring (12.2 points per game), rebounding (7.7) and assists (3.4). He has slims leads in scoring — Kyle Fogg is averaging 12.1 points, and Jesse Perry grabs 7.6 rebounds per game.
Hill, who might have been trying to force the issue on offense early in the season, said last week he’s not feeling any pressure to be the team’s on-court leader.
“I just stick with my team,” he said after beating Oakland. “I’m more effective with the team. It is actually more relaxing.”
Arizona (9-4) opens Pac-12 play Saturday against Arizona State at McKale Center.