Hill’s Large Footprint Steadily Growing
Ron Bailey, Publisher
[Page 2]
What makes Haniff this appealing? First off, it’s his product offering and knowledge (he’s an NBA certified trainer). “I’m strictly basketball” said Hill of an advantage he provides. “Most trainers don’t do strictly player development.
“What makes me better is I add my own unique touch to it…That specific stuff for player development, like getting an understanding for what offense they are in and where they catch the ball, and creating things to develop those necessary skills”.
Siena College’s Kenny Hasbrouck, a standout, all league performer recently shed light on what makes Hill’s training special: “It’s great being trained by him. A lot of them work you out, but he shows you things you can use; he taught me a lot of great ball handling moves. He was a great ball handler himself. I used to watch him and his brother”.
Hasbrouck, who was Siena’s most dominant player last season, went on to note “By far he’s one of the best. He really does teach you stuff you can use in a game”. An example? “Like how to separate yourself from other players for a shot”.
Add his willingness to help, approachable demeanor – Hill counts many of his clients as friends – and down to earth frankness – he opined “You can learn from anybody” - and its no wonder Haniff, 29, is so popular.
Work ethic is clearly not a question for Hill; it’ something he learned from his father, Ed Hill, Howard University’s Sports Information Director and a professor at that institution. Growing up, the elder Hill coached little league sports, primarily out of the Washington Police’s No. 10 Boys and Girls Club in Northwest, Washington, DC.
Seeing this planted a seed in Haniff to give back by coaching and running leagues, not only benefiting young people in his native Clifton Terrace area of which No. 10 is an institution, but other kids as well. The vehicle is the Tom Jones Nike Elite Summer League.
Ed Hill (right), Haniff's father, provided both his work ethic and deep roots in DC's No. 10 Boys and Girls club to his son.
“My father and Mitch Creddle started it, but it kind of fell off, so I took it over” four years ago shared Hill of his motivation and efforts. “It is for age groups from 10 to 13, and is the first one throughout the country for kids that age, sponsored by Nike”.
That corporate support was recently secured via Hill’s efforts. Lasting from June 1st – August 10th, the Tom Jones is a DC/B’More institution, boasting a large number of alumni playing in college, as well as 12 who have/will see time in the NBA, including Rudy Gay, Mike Beasley, Jarrett Jack, and Roy Hibbert. Add Haniff to the list of past Jones League participants.
Hill is expanding his youth hoops effort to include an exciting Christmas time tournament. Dubbed the H.E.H.A.S.E. Invitational and scheduled for December 26th-29th, 2008, this AAU event will pit 16 teams in their respective age groups (11-14) at No. 10. Given the talent level present, there is no doubt fans and high school coaches alike will pack the facility’s gym.
Things have grown exponentially for Haniff Hill: From playing in the Tom Jones league, and later for Cardozo to coaching that school to three consecutive inner high championships and one city crown, to working out a handful of college guys and very young players (Tre Campbell, presently a 7th grade standout at Christ Chapel (VA) was his first in that regard, when the kid was but nine), Haniff has kept moving forward. Of course one must add traveling overseas in addition to training NBA and college standouts alike to his body of work.
“It’s really picked up the last two years” humbly noted
Hill of his exploits. The good thing is he’s just getting started.
Keep getting it done Haniff.