George Hill (basketball)
A versatile and steady NBA guard who carved out a 15-year career as the ultimate professional teammate and defensive irritant.
Born 1986 (age 40)·American basketball player·Birthday: May 4·Millennials
Biography
George Hill’s story is one of overlooked talent proving itself on the biggest stage. Coming out of IUPUI—a school not known for basketball factories—he was a late first-round pick by San Antonio, a perfect fit for their culture of discipline. Under Gregg Popovich, he evolved from a raw athlete into a poised, two-way guard who could defend multiple positions and hit open shots. His trade to Indiana for Kawhi Leonard became one of those fascinating NBA 'what-ifs,' but in Indianapolis, Hill flourished as a starting point guard for competitive playoff teams. His value was never in gaudy stats, but in his low-turnover reliability, defensive grit, and knack for hitting big shots. This made him a sought-after piece for contenders late in his career, contributing meaningful minutes for Cleveland, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia, embodying the kind of veteran presence every coach wants in the playoffs.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
George was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When George Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
George's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Named Summit League Player of the Year and an Honorable Mention All-American at IUPUI in 2008.
- Started at point guard for the Indiana Pacers teams that reached the Eastern Conference Finals in 2013 and 2014.
- Played a key reserve role for the Milwaukee Bucks team that won the NBA Championship in 2021.
Did You Know?
He is the all-time leading scorer for IUPUI, putting the small Indianapolis university on the basketball map.
He was traded on draft night in 2011 for the pick that became future NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard.
He won an Indiana state high school championship at Broad Ripple High School in Indianapolis.
“Pop taught me that details separate the good from the great in this league.”
