For three years now, Grant Hill is the boss of USA Basketball. So it was he who assembled the superb American team to compete in the Paris Olympics, with the mission of atoning for the affront of fourth place at the 2023 World Cup.
This will therefore be his first Olympic competition in a manager's costume, because the Games are not unfamiliar territory for the former player. In 1992, he got his first taste of this experience, being part of the “Select Team” against the legendary “Dream Team”.
Surrounded by his heroes in 1992
A training team, to prepare Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, who had the looks: Grant Hill therefore, but also Chris Webber, Penny Hardaway and Jamal Mashburn.
“It was a different time for the top high school or college kids. It was a chance to meet these professionals. Except for Christian Laettner and Pat Ewing, I had never met those guys,” does he remember for Andscape. “And I think it was the same for the other players on the Select Team. I had posters of Magic and Jordan in my room. And then you find out you're going to play them.”
And even win, since his young talents will indeed win a training match, cleverly orchestrated by coach Chuck Daly to motivate his troops and take control of the group. An unforgettable period, obviously.
“It was probably the best basketball experience of my life, seeing it through the eyes of a 19-year-old. I had just won two college titles and I had this chance the following summer. I could have quit right after that,” continues the former Duke player. “The first day, I defended Jordan and I remember that feeling. I defended him again later and several times. But now, we are told three weeks before and it happens. My heroes were there, I spent time with them. The first time I played golf, it was with Scottie Pippen. They took us under their wings, we had the chance to hang out with them. We can't even describe those games, those moments, no one would believe us. There are no words, it was incredible.”
“A pride in wearing the Team USA jersey”
Four years after Barcelona, the Games were held in Atlanta and Grant Hill was then an NBA player, an All-Star even, who embodied the future of the league when Michael Jordan retired. He was therefore logically called up to participate in the competition, alongside the new generation – Shaquille O'Neal, Penny Hardaway – and the old one – Charles Barkley, Scottie Pippen, Hakeem Olajuwon, David Robinson, Karl Malone.
“It was important. I was young when I wore that jersey and I probably didn't fully appreciate that moment,” he concedes, he who was 23 years old that summer. “I was the youngest on that team and I think I took that for granted, that I would have other opportunities, which didn't come because of injuries. But I grew up watching the Games, Carl Lewis, Mary Lou Retton (gymnast)Edwin Moses (400m runner)the 1984 team. »
And to conclude: “Representing your country is not like representing Duke or the Pistons. It’s an honor and a privilege. There’s a pride in wearing the Team USA jersey. I’m not the most patriotic person, but you feel that pride.”
