Steven Hill became a well-known name in southwest Missouri basketball in the early 2000s, as the 7-foot center emerged as a fearsome shot-blocker before going on to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Now Hill’s efforts are being recognized by the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in its upcoming Basketball Tipoff Luncheon presented by Mercy. Hill has been named to the Filbert Five, a group of former high school, college and professional basketball players who will be recognized. The Filbert Five is named in honor of the late Gary Filbert, a Missouri high school and college basketball who, in 2011, was bestowed the Hall’s highest honor, the Missouri Sports Legend award.
The luncheon is set for 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10 at the University Plaza Convention Center in Springfield. For tickets, call 417-889-3100.
“My time as a high school player in Branson was quite memorable,” Hill said. “I played for two coaches that poured in to me, Jeff Strickler and Randy Bishop. Branson High School was – and is – a great place to go to school, and I had a great time with my teammates over the years. I also have fond memories of playing against fellow big men in my class from around the Central Ozark Conference. Jim Grabowski of Bolivar, Drew Richards from Rogersville and Sam Singh from Ozark were three guys that were fun to compete against year after year.”
At Branson, Hill was a Class 4 All-State selection in both 2003 and 2004 in addition to All-Ozarks and All-Central Ozark Conference. His 616 career blocked shots are second in state high school history, and his 5.87 blocked shots per game still rank fourth.
At Arkansas, Hill was a three-time selection to the All-Southeastern Conference Defensive Team and was voted the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in his junior season. He also was a three-time academic All-SEC. Hill’s 54 blocks were second-most by a freshman, to the 60 set by then-freshman Oliver Miller. A year later, Hill had 91 blocks, passing Miller’s single-season record of 85. Hill played one game in the NBA, in 2009 for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and played on NBA Developmental League affiliates for the Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves and Sacramento Kings.
These days, Hill lives in Bentonville, Ark., with his wife, Heather, son Asher (4) and 1-year-old daughter, Esther.
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Want to go?
What: Basketball Tipoff Luncheon presented by Mercy
When: 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 10
Where: University Plaza Convention Center, Springfield
Inductees: Parkview High School’s “Jolly Green Giants” of 1964-1966; Missouri State’s 1952 and 1953 NAIA national championship men’s basketball teams; Jefferson City and Lady Bears standout Karen Rapier; and high school and college coach Gary Stanfield.
Filbert Five men’s team: Chris Harville (Rogersville/Missouri State), Steven Hill (Branson/Arkansas), Sam Singh (Ozark/Bradley), Mark Sparks (Neosho/Mizzou/Drury) and Kevin Williams (Nevada/Mizzou).
Filbert Five women’s team: Sara Bos Barnhart (Billings/Drury),Terianne Wolford Brown (Nixa/Mizzou), Laura Granzow Buetow (Kickapoo/Denver/Canisius), Alyson Young Hooten (Rogersville/Avila) and Anita Rank Oplotnik (Lincoln/Missouri Southern).
Tickets: Individual tickets are $40. Tables of eight are $400 and include associate sponsor recognition in the printed program. Call the Hall of Fame at 317-889-3100.