Detroit Pistons #DraftDreams: Solomon Hill
Info
- Measurables: 6-foot-7, 22o pounds, senior small forward from Arizona.
- Key Stats: 13.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists per game on 45.8% field goal shooting and 39% from three.
- Projected: Late second round
- Hickory High Similarity Score
Random Fact
Hill has a 37.5 inch max vertical leap. On a team looking to potentially get more athletic, Hill fits that description.
Fits with the Pistons because …
As of right now, the Pistons’ small forward rotation includes Kyle Singler, Khris Middleton and Jonas Jerebko. None of those three have exactly solidified themselves as starting material yet. Solomon Hill is a prototypical wing player, as he only really shoots threes and takes it to the rim. In his last season at Arizona, he averaged 10 field goal attempts per game, 4.2 of them from three and four of them at the rim. He’s a good shot creator, and he proved that in his last season at Arizona. Hill stayed at Arizona all four years. Going into college, he couldn’t create and make his own shot, but he developed that trait and perfected it during the last four years.
Also a proven passer, Hill’s shown good court vision, so he’s good on offense for more than just taking shots. With Drummond and Monroe being consistent but having short range and no good perimeter shooters in the backcourt, Hill could provide the shooting touch off the bench
Doesn’t fit with the Pistons because …
There isn’t much that stands out for Solomon Hill that would necessarily be bad for him going to the Pistons, except for the fact that you could probably get better value at the 37th pick and he most likely won’t be available at 56. However, if there’s one very weak spot in Hill’s game, it’s his defense. His basketball IQ alone won’t get him where he needs to be in terms of defense — despite his leaping ability, he’s not the most laterally quick wing out there. He is good on help defense, but doesn’t close out shooters well. More poor, unseasoned defenders is not something that should be high on the Pistons wish list right now.
From the Experts:
"Hill is a versatile leader who can handle the ball, pass, knock down a perimeter shot and score in the post. He is averaging 13.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals per game and has improved his perimeter shooting while knocking down free throws at the highest rate of his career (81 percent)."
"In addition to his ability to knock down shots from the perimeter, Hill also possesses a sound floor game. He lacks the dynamic ball-handling ability and speed to consistently create shots from the perimeter and is not the type of player who can dominate games with his ability to consistently get to the rim in isolation or pick and roll situations, but he is an opportunistic slasher who can take what defenders give him both in the half court and transition with powerful straight-line drives. With his superior strength and maturity, he can often overpower weaker opponents en route to the basket, which is a big reason he’s able to get to the free throw line at the rate he does."