Isaiah Hill (183-PG, college: Fresno St.) is a 183cm guard from Bakersfield, California that is playing his rookie season overseas with the Caledonia Gladiators (United Kingdom-SLB). He began his basketball career at Liberty High school and set school records for career points (1,822) and points in a single-season (677). He began his NCAA career with the The University of Tulsa (NCAA). He then played 4 years at Fresno State playing a total of 119 games averaging 10.2ppg, 3.1rpg, 3.3apg, 1.3spg, FGP: 42.7%, 3PT: 38.5%, FT: 85.2%, 10.1ppg, 2.6rpg, 3.3apg, 1.0spg, FGP: 43.5%, 3PT: 36.9%, FT: 68.6% in his second season,12.6ppg, 2.4rpg, 4.1apg, 1.1spg, FGP: 44.8%, 3PT: 30.3%, FT: 80.8% in his junior year and as a senior averaged 12.0ppg, 3.5rpg, 6.0apg, 1.4spg, FGP: 45.1%, 3PT: 30.6%, FT: 80.9%. He spoke to germanhoops.com before a exhibition game against the Frankfurt Skyliners.

Thanks Isaiah for talking to germanhoops.com Where are you at the moment and how is basketball life treating you?

I am in East Kilbride, Scotland playing for the Caledonia Gadiators right now. So far basketball has been good. Right now I feel like I am adjusting well to the professional game and learning everyday what it actually means to be a pro.

Your playing your first professional season overseas with the Caledonia Gladiators (United Kingdom-SLB). You are living in Glasgow in the UK. Was it a big culture shock coming from Bakersfield?

I feel that for my first year this was the best spot I could’ve picked because there has been no real culture shock for me.

How was your first transfer experience this summer? Did you get many offers and what was the main reason for joining the Caledonia Gladiators (United Kingdom-SLB)?

I had a couple other teams who were interested in me but the reason I chose Caledonia was because I felt this could really jumpstart my career with a respected domestic league as well playing in international competition

How excited are you to have the opportunity to be the leading point guard on the team? Do you feel a little pressure going? How content are you that you will be bale to make the jump from the NCAA to the pro ranks?

I am very excited to be one of the lead guards on this team and think I can bring a lot to the team as a young player! Pressure is a part of the game so that’s always going to be there. I’m very excited to make the jump from college to the pro level and feel like I am ready for it.

Your playing a test game in Germany this week against the Fraport Skyliners. What do you know in general about Germany and it´s basketball? How known was the fact in USA that Germany won the world cup in 2023?

I know that Germany is becoming very respected in the basketball world and I am looking forward to the game!

Let´s talk about your game. You’re a 183cm point guard. If you had to compare your game to an NBA player who would best fit the description?

I am a smaller point guard and I would compare my game to a Chris Paul who is elite in the ball screen

Is it fair to say that you’re a pass first point guard? What is the biggest strength in your game?

Yes I would say I have evolved into that but can still get mine. I feel my biggest strength is being a playmaker.

You made big strides in your playmaking the last 3 years in the NCAA and averaged 6,0apg as a senior. How would you describe the development as a playmaker and what do you want to see done this season with your passing abilities?

I would say the reason I took that jump was just making a lot of mistakes the year before with the ball in my hands for the first time, so learning from those mistakes helped and was able to get comfortable my last year along with a lot more film watching.

You were near 40% from outside your first 2 years in the NCAA at Fresno State, but at 305 the last 2 seasons. How would you describe the development of your three pointer at this moment. What is missing for you to get the percentages up again?

Yeah my shooting has gone down quite a bit and that has been a huge emphasis this summer for me was just making a lot of shots continuously seeing the ball go in. But I feel it is all confidence shooting the ball so going in this year just shooting the ball with confidence and just letting it fly when I’m open I believe I will get back to being that 40 percent 3pt shooter.

Your also a very ambitious defender. What kind of a defender are you now and what kind of defender do you still want to become?

I feel like I am a decent defender but I want improve on being a better defender in the pick and roll fighting harder through screens

On what areas of your game are you working on most now so you can continue to improve your game?

my two areas I’ve worked on the most this summer was my three ball and finishing around the rim

You began your NCAA career at The University of Tulsa (NCAA) averaging 4.2ppg, 1.7rpg, 2.2apg, 1.0spg. What memories do you have of this season. You averaged 24 minutes which was nice as a freshman, but opted to go after 1 season. What positives did you get from this season?

I had a great time at Tulsa! I learned a lot while I was there from some of the older guys and coach Haith. I left to be closer to home during the unknowing times of Covid.

You then played at Fresno State from 2020-2024 and showed consistency in your 4 years. How do you feel did your game grow in these years?

My time at Fresno state was great. And I learned a lot from coach hut about basketball. I’ve always had a natural feel for the game but he took my IQ to a whole other level. My game grew the most mentally at Fresno state.

In your senior year you played 11 games 40 minutes or more. How crazy was that? How tough was that at times? Did you sometimes feel like you were going to burst on the court due to fatigue?

40 minutes a game was a lot on my body! It was tough last year physically and mentally. The fatigue was real but I was blessed to be in position to play all those minutes when some guys don’t get to see the court so no complaints

How much fun was it playing together with 7 footer Orlando Robinson for 2 seasons? Was he one of those guys that you could just throw up the ball to the rim?

Playing with Orlando was amazing. Probably the hardest worker I have ever played with. Him on the court made everything easy for me because he attracted so much attention.

You had so many incredible games at Fresno State including 24 points in a massive win against SJSU. What was your fondest moment on the court?

I had many great games but my favorite memory that I can think of would have to hitting the game winner against SJSU.

How did head coach Justin Hutson groom and prepare you best for a professional career?

Coach hut was amazing! He was hard on me on the court but off the court he’s like a big bro to me! He helped me navigate a lot tough times and struggles in my career and helped me push through to become the player I am today. Everything that I have been taught for the most part with the Gladiators coach but had already installed those into me as habits. So all his coaching and guidance has prepared me for this moment and has made the transition smooth for me.

Who won a 1-1 in practice you or Xavier Dusell?

haha X and I had a couple battles but I would say we probably ended up breaking even in our 1 on 1 battles

Who was the best player you played against in your life that reached the NBA?

.Jalen Green

Please name your 5 best teammates of all-time?

My best teammates of all time is tough but I would go with Jr Ballard, Anthony Holland, Xavier Dusell, Leo Colimerio and Orlando/Jemarl Baker for the 5th spot

Please list your personal NBA Mount Rushmore?

Lebron, Kobe, Steph, KD

Who is your GOAT?

Lebron James

Did you see the sequel to the classic Coming To America? Shouldn´t they have left it alone?

I have seen the sequel to coming to America and I actually liked it. The first one is a classic for sure but the 2nd one was a cool little spin off

Thanks Isaiah for the chat.