Sando Hill rises up to shoot a jump shot SXU Athletics
“Since a young age, my passion for basketball has been unwavering,” said Sando Hill, who talked about his love for the game of basketball.
Hill’s competitiveness on the court is sparked by the love of the game. After every alley-oop dunk or a three-pointer made, Hill shows how much he is willing to put on the line to win.
Hill’s journey with the sport of basketball all started when Hill was five years old. Hill’s earliest memories and best memories came from that age and as he grew older fonder memories piled on top of those.
Hill’s father always had always put Hill into sports, once Hill had discovered the sport of basketball it would be something that Hill would enjoy playing more throughout playing.
Hill would play basketball at Vanoss High School, and two other colleges before transferring to Saint Xavier this past season, those schools being Seminole State College in Oklahoma and Lyon College.
“Among the options [my father] presented, basketball emerged as the clear frontrunner…[My father’s] willingness to let me experience, ultimately led me to discover my passion for basketball,” said Hill.
With the devotion of Hill’s father to see him succeed, it led him to heights he has never seen before. Making the sport of basketball the thing that would change Hill’s life, and install qualities within Hill that he can use on and off the court.
“As a young black man navigating a world that often challenges authenticity, the sport of basketball has been a beacon of resilience and self-discovery,” said Hill.
As much as the world can be complicated in the eyes of young black men, Hill’s honed passion for basketball has shone a light on a path to a new path. With Hill’s love for basketball he gained key qualities Hill has equipped into his character: perseverance through adversity and transfiguring setbacks to fuel to advance in life.
“Basketball has inevitably affected my life for the better, because of it I am a better man,” said Hill.
Hill’s talents and devotion to basketball has made his life easier, and Hill has nothing but the sport and his undying passion for basketball to thank.
“Basketball is paying for my degree, no other sport gave me that opportunity,” said Hill.
Athletics paying for your schooling is more reason than enough to give it your all, but when your parents are in your corner cheering you on it is a morale boost than no other. Hill’s parents are the reason why he plays as hard as he does, Hill’s family pushes him to be the best he can.
“…my parents serve as a [profound] driving force…Their unwavering support and belief in me, [instills] a deep-seated desire to excel…” said Hill.
Support from a family is much needed due to the fact that basketball is undoubtedly one of the hardest sports to get a grip of. From rules and concepts to the high level of competition, it’s not an easy sport to just pick up and play.
Many basketball players in the professional world have played for their whole lives, let alone players in college such as Hill. The mental and physical tasking is enough to alter one’s lifestyle, yet Hill has a “dawg” mentality that is key to being a basketball player at college levels.
“Mentally you have to be a dawg,” said Hill.
The “dawg” mentality is something that people refer to someone who’s mentality is different from everyone else, a mindset that is never satisfied and hungry for more like a dog.
Hill embodies what it means to be a “dawg”, on the court you see him doing anything to help his team win if it is scoring, defense, or playmaking he can do it all.
Hill transferred to Saint Xavier this year from Lyon and in his 28 starts he recorded 252 points, 67 steals, 69 assists, and a block.
Hill’s undying passion to become the best version of himself is his dedication to the ones close to him. No matter what is thrown Hill’s way he got that “dawg” in him.