Darrun Hilliard

Darrun Hilliard
No. 6 – Detroit Pistons
Position Shooting guard / Small forward
League NBA
Personal information
Born (1993-04-13) April 13, 1993
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Nationality American
Listed height 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Listed weight 215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school Liberty (Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)
College Villanova (2011–2015)
NBA draft 2015 / Round: 2 / Pick: 38th overall
Selected by the Detroit Pistons
Playing career 2015–present
Career history
2015–present Detroit Pistons
2015 →Grand Rapids Drive
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com

Darrun Hilliard II (born April 13, 1993) is an American professional basketball player for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He attended Liberty High School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he was a two-time Associated Press first-team selection. As a senior in high school, he averaged 19.7 points per game. Hilliard committed to play college basketball for the Villanova Wildcats and coach Jay Wright. He showed steady improvement every year, going from 4.8 points per game as a freshman to 14.3 points per game as a senior as he helped Villanova reach the NCAA Tournament in three straight seasons. As a senior, he was named to the first-team All-Big East and was honored as Big 5 Player of the Year.

Early life

Hilliard was born on April 13, 1993 to Charlene Jenkins and Darrun Hilliard.[1] His mother is a representative for an insurance company.[2] His father played basketball at the high school level and first introduced his son to the sport when he was five years old. The younger Hilliard also played football growing up, but preferred basketball.[3] His favorite NBA player was Allen Iverson.[4] He used to bike to Philadelphia Eagles practices as a kid.[5]

High school career

Hilliard attended Liberty High School in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he was a two-time Associated Press first-team selection.[2] Despite eating, writing, and throwing a football right handed, Hilliard shoots left-handed. As a freshman, he measured 6'1. His parents split up after his freshman year, and he developed a unique bond with Liberty assistant coach Mike Bachman.[6] As a junior, he averaged 18 points and six rebounds per game and shot 52 percent from the field. Hilliard led the Hurricanes to PIAA state semifinals, where Liberty lost to Penn Wood. In the loss to Penn Wood, Hilliard had 26 points. He was named Morning Call player of the year as a junior.[7] In addition, he was selected to the First Team Class AAAA.[8]

Hilliard averaged 19.7 points per game as a senior.[1] He was named Express-Times player of the year after leading the Hurricanes to the second round of the PIAA playoffs. Hilliard scored 1,413 points in his high school career, finishing second in Liberty history to Warren West.[3] He committed to Villanova in November 2010.[9] When Hilliard informed his mother he was receiving a full scholarship to Villanova, she did not understand and was trying to figure how much she would have to pay for her son's education.[2] In addition to his basketball prowess, Hilliard was the quarterback on his high school football team and could throw the ball 65 yards.[10]

College career

Freshman

Villanova coach Jay Wright considered redshirting Hilliard in his freshman season, but Wright decided against it after a rash of injuries to his players.[9] He had 13 points in back-to-back games against Penn and Missouri in December 2011.[11][12] As a freshman, Hilliard averaged 4.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 18.1 minutes per game in 29 games and shot 29.2 percent from behind the 3-point arc. During the season, he reached out to his family and friends to see if he made the right decision to come to Villanova. He said, "Freshman year was probably my toughest year of basketball", due to difficulties in adjusting to a new coach and teammates.[9] He described himself as a mentally unstable 17-year-old.[5]

Sophomore

In his sophomore season (2012–13), he averaged 11.4 points in just under 30 minutes a game. This proved to be his breakout season and he would go on to start all 34 games that year.[1] He helped Villanova defeat a few top five teams that season. In a comeback win over #5 Louisville on January 22, he made a 3-point play after making a steal at halfcourt which helped spark the rally.[13] In a 75–71 overtime victory over #3 Syracuse on January 26, 2013, he had 25 points and six assists in 38 minutes.[14] As a result of his play against Syracuse, Hilliard was honored as Big East Player of the Week and Oscar Robertson National Player of the Week.[15] He also helped them beat then #5 Georgetown on March 6 by the score of 67–57. In that game, he had 14 points and three steals.[16]

Villanova enjoyed a 20–14 season after a down year and reached the NCAA Tournament where they were seeded ninth and matched up with eight seed North Carolina in the first round. Hilliard had a strong showing in a 78–71 loss to North Carolina, scoring 18 points.[17]

Junior

Hilliard improved in most offensive categories in the 2013–14 season, his junior year. He averaged 14.3 points per game that season and improved his three-point shooting percentage to 41.4 percent (up from 31.5 percent the year before). He made 70 three-pointers that year out of 169 attempts.[1] Hilliard scored 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting against Marquette in a 94–85 victory on January 25, 2014.[18] In an 82–79 win over Providence, he hit a crucial 3-pointer with a minute left in overtime.[19] In a 73–56 win over Marquette on March 2 at the Wells Fargo Center, he established a new career high with 26 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field.[4]

Villanova compiled a 29–5 record and won the Big East regular season championship and Battle for Atlantis title despite not being ranked in the preseason.[20] In the 2014 NCAA Tournament, Hilliard scored 16 points to help Villanova get past Milwaukee.[21] Villanova lost to eventual national champion Connecticut in the Round of 32, with Hilliard adding 13 points in the 77–65 loss.[22] He was an honorable mention all-Big East selection at the conclusion of the regular season.[23] He shared Big East Most Improved Player award with teammate Daniel Ochefu.[24] Hilliard joined teammate Ryan Arcidiacono on the All-Big 5 Second Team.[25]

Senior

He is the leader of our team, on and off the court. Defensively he can guard small forwards, guards. He always hits big shots for us. Teams are leaning to him a lot more and he's creating shots for his teammates. The way he's handled everything unselfishly and done everything for the team, he's put winning first ahead of individual accomplishments. I'm thrilled that he's a candidate for player of the year and I'd love for him to get it.

 — Jay Wright[26]

Coming into the 2014–15 season, Hilliard was named to the Preseason Second Team All-Big East.[27] He averaged 14.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game as a senior.[1] Villanova was ranked in the top ten for most of the season thanks to a balanced offense. Hilliard scored 23 points on December 20 in an overtime victory over Syracuse, hitting 9-of-17 shots. He hit two free throws to give the Wildcats the first lead of the game in overtime before being kicked in the face and tested for concussion-like symptoms.[28] Against Creighton on January 25, 2015, he scored 24 points and made 6-of-10 three-pointers in a 71–50 victory at home.[29] On February 14, in a 78–75 victory over Butler, Hilliard scored a career-high 31 points and also set a career high with 8 three-pointers made out of 13 attempts. He also hit the game-winning three-pointer with 1.5 seconds to play in the game. Eight of his nine field goals in that game were three-pointers, and his eight rebounds were one short of a career-high.[30] He averaged 18.7 points during a nine-game stretch that included the Butler game.[26]

Hilliard led the Wildcats to a 33–3 season. His final game at Villanova was a 71-68 upset at the hands of N.C. State in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32, despite contributing 27 points. Hilliard finished his Villanova career with 1,511 points, 18th highest in school history; 400 rebounds; and 176 steals.[5] Hilliard was a 2014–15 Men's All-District II Team selection by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association.[31] The Sporting News selected him to be a Second Team All American.[32] Hilliard was one of three players, along with LaDontae Henton and Kris Dunn, to be named to the All Big East First Team.[27] He was named to the First Team All-District V by the National Association of Basketball Coaches,[33] and was named Big 5 Player of the Year.[34] After the season he was invited to the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament.[35]

Professional career

Detroit Pistons (2015–present)

Prior to the 2015 NBA draft, Hilliard signed with James Dunleavy as his agent. He was listed in the 55-70 range among NBA Draft prospects by several media agencies.[36] On June 25, 2015, Hilliard was selected 38th overall by the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the draft.[37][38] Hilliard attributed the decision to a productive workout with the team.[39] After averaging 9.4 points per game in Orlando Summer League play, on July 20, Hilliard signed a three-year deal with the Pistons, with one year being guaranteed.[40][41] Coach Stan Van Gundy praised Hilliard's shooting prowess, despite a poor showing in the Summer League.[10]

He broke his nose during training camp after engaging in a pickup game. The injury required surgery and he needed to wear a mask.[42] On November 23, he made his NBA debut in a 109–88 loss against the Milwaukee Bucks, recording two points and three rebounds in 12 minutes.[43] During his rookie season, he received multiple assignments to the Grand Rapids Drive, the Pistons' D-League affiliate.[44]

On June 30, 2016, Hilliard was ruled out of the 2016 NBA Summer League after he suffered a stress fracture of the lower back.[45]

NBA career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2015–16 Detroit 38 2 10.1 .397 .380 .725 1.2 .7 .2 .0 4.0
Career 38 2 10.1 .397 .380 .725 1.2 .7 .2 .0 4.0

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "4 - Darrun Hilliard". Villanova Wildcats. Villanova University. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 Smallwood, John (May 12, 2013). "Villanova's Hilliard thinks every day should be Mother's Day". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  3. 1 2 Hinkel, Tom (March 29, 2011). "Liberty High School's Darrun Hilliard repeats as Boys Basketball Player of the Year". The Express-Times. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  4. 1 2 "Villanova tops Marquette on Darrun Hilliard's career day". ESPN. Associated Press. March 2, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 Frank, Reuben (March 23, 2015). "Darrun Hilliard on Villanova teammates: 'They saved my life'". Comcast SportsNet. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  6. ↑ Jones, David (February 24, 2014). "Darrun Hilliard is Villanova's hidden engine in its 24-3 season". The Patriot-News. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  7. ↑ Groller, Keith (April 2, 2010). "Liberty's Darrun Hilliard is The Morning Call's boys player of the year". The Morning Call. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Liberty High School's Darrun Hilliard named first team all-state; Chad Landis is Class AAAA co-coach of the year". The Express-Times. April 7, 2010. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  9. 1 2 3 Housenick, Tom (November 12, 2014). "It will be an emotional homecoming for Villanova's Darrun Hilliard, a Liberty High product". The Morning Call. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  10. 1 2 Langlois, Keith (August 5, 2015). "Darrun Hilliard catches the eyes of not only SVG but his new Pistons teammates". NBA.com. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Villanova 73, Penn 65". ESPN. Associated Press. December 3, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Marcus Denmon scores 28 points, leads Missouri at Jimmy V Classic". ESPN. Associated Press. December 7, 2011. Retrieved June 1, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Achraf Yacoubou's late 3-pointer helps Nova upset No. 5 Louisville". ESPN. Associated Press. January 23, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Villanova uses deep touch to upend No. 3 Syracuse in overtime". ESPN. Associated Press. January 26, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  15. ↑ Hinkel, Tom (January 30, 2013). "Former Liberty High School basketball standout Darrun Hilliard is a rising star at Villanova". Express-Times. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  16. ↑ "Villanova beats another top-5 team, sinks No. 5 Georgetown". ESPN. Associated Press. March 7, 2013. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  17. ↑ "UNC outlasts Villanova to give Roy Williams win No. 700". ESPN. Associated Press. March 22, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  18. ↑ "No. 4 Villanova holds off Marquette, 94-85 in OT". ESPN. Associated Press. January 25, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  19. ↑ "No. 9 Villanova survives scare, escapes Providence in 2OT". ESPN. Associated Press. February 19, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  20. ↑ Jerardi, Dick (March 24, 2014). "Villanova at a loss in tournament". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Villanova prevails in rout as Milwaukee fades down stretch". ESPN. Associated Press. March 21, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Shabazz Napier scores 25 to lead No. 7 UConn past No. 2 Villanova". ESPN. Associated Press. March 23, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  23. ↑ Toohey, Terry (March 11, 2014). "Villanova senior James Bell named Big East first team all-conference". Main Line Media News. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  24. ↑ Hinkel, Tom (March 18, 2015). "March Madness: Villanova basketball's Darrun Hilliard has high regard for Lafayette". The Express-Times. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  25. ↑ Jensen, Mike (April 15, 2014). "Big Five Hall of Famers honored with current stars". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  26. 1 2 Juliano, Joe (March 11, 2015). "Hilliard in line for Big East honor". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  27. 1 2 "MBB: All-BIG EAST Teams Announced". Big East Conference. March 8, 2015. Archived from the original on March 17, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  28. ↑ "No. 7 Villanova stays undefeated with overtime win over Syracuse". ESPN. Associated Press. December 20, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Hilliard scores 24 to lead No. 4 Villanova over Creighton". ESPN. Associated Press. January 25, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Darrun Hilliard hits clutch 3 as No. 6 Villanova rallies by No. 18 Butler". ESPN. Associated Press. February 26, 2015. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
  31. ↑ "USBWA Names 2014-15 Men's All-District Teams". United States Basketball Writers Association. March 10, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
  32. ↑ Linton, Chance (March 9, 2015). "Sporting News releases 2014-2015 All-American Team". 247sports.com. Archived from the original on March 9, 2015.
  33. ↑ "National Association of Basketball Coaches Announces: 2014-15 Division I All-District Teams and UPS All-District Coaches" (PDF). National Association of Basketball Coaches. March 27, 2015. Retrieved April 8, 2015.
  34. ↑ O'Brien, Rick (March 25, 2015). "College Basketball: Lower Merion's B.J. Johnson transfers from Syracuse to La Salle". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved May 25, 2015.
  35. ↑ Bodner, Derek (April 10, 2015). "NBA draft prospects hope to get noticed at Portsmouth". USA Today. Retrieved June 6, 2015.
  36. ↑ Miller, Stephen (June 24, 2015). "Liberty High product Darrun Hilliard hopeful as NBA Draft nears". Allentown Morning Call. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  37. ↑ Farrell, Perry (June 25, 2015). "Pistons take Villanova SG Darrun Hilliard 38th in NBA draft". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  38. ↑ "Villanova's Hilliard brings versatility, savvy, shooting to Pistons perimeter". NBA.com. June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  39. ↑ Miller, Stephen (June 26, 2015). "Darrun Hilliard, Liberty High grad, ready for NBA life to start with Detroit Pistons". Allentown Morning Call. Retrieved June 28, 2015.
  40. ↑ "Detroit Pistons Sign Second-Round Pick Darrun Hilliard". NBA.com. July 20, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  41. ↑ Ellis, Vince (July 16, 2015). "Pistons agree to terms with second-rounder Hilliard". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
  42. ↑ McMann, Aaron (October 1, 2015). "Masked Darrun Hilliard willing to stretch the floor to earn Pistons roster spot". MLive. Retrieved November 24, 2015.
  43. ↑ "Monroe helps Bucks beat Pistons 109-88". NBA.com. November 23, 2015. Retrieved December 5, 2015.
  44. ↑ "2015-16 NBA Assignments". NBA.com. Retrieved December 19, 2015.
  45. ↑ "Darrun Hilliard suffers lower back stress fracture". InsideHoops.com. June 30, 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2016.

External links

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