Tennessee basketball guard Terrence Hill Jr. met with the Knoxville media on Tuesday for the first time since arriving in Knoxville. A 6-foot-3 guard, Hill averaged 15 points and 2.8 assists per game while helping lead VCU to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament.
Meeting with the media on Monday, Hill discussed learning to play point guard for Rick Barnes, building chemistry with his teammates and much more. Here’s everything Hill said.
More From RTI: Tennessee Basketball Practice Notes And Observations — July 13
On making a big jump from his freshman to sophomore season at VCU, how to continue to improve at Tennessee
“I would say just trusting in the process, like I always have been. Just take advantage of every opportunity that I get. Now it’s a bigger opportunity here at Tennessee, so just staying in the moment and just trusting the process with my work.”
On what has stood out about the team through the first month and a half of summer practice
“I would just say the versatility of our team. We have a lot of different guys that can do a lot of different things, especially on the offensive side. But then just our chemistry over a short period of time has really surprised me. Just everybody willing to buy into what coach is saying, all the coaches is saying just very impressive to me.”
On how much freedom Tennessee’s guards have
“Just competing against those other guys, the other guards on the team, making sure we get each other better — it’s a big advantage for sure, just having different guards do different things.”
On how the backcourt is building chemistry
“Great, man. I feel like me and Dai Dai (Ames) have been doing a great job to start it off, to lead the lead the team for sure. I feel like the chemistry is gonna come over time, but just building that bond early is very special.”
On Ja’Kobi Gillespie and Zakai Zeigler’s ability to score as a point guard in Tennessee’s system, if he thinks he has the same ability
“Yeah, I definitely watched those guys a lot. Just coming here, coming on my visit, it was funny because last year I was watching the tournament when Tennessee played — I think one of the Sweet Sixteen games — I was like, ‘Ja’Kobi is going crazy. That could be me out there.’ I was talking to my agent. They were just letting him rock and stuff like that, so that was good to see.
“But yeah, I feel like I bring a different feel to our team for sure with the scoring and passing ability. Just all the weapons on our team, I think we’ll be able to distribute as well.”
On how long it takes to adjust to a Rick Barnes practice
“For me, it didn’t take too long. I knew he was a high-intense coach. Maybe for others, it took a little longer, but you kind of just get used to it over time, especially if you want to get better. You know everything he’s saying is just out of love for you to get better.”
On how different a Rick Barnes practice is compared to others
“It’s different for sure. I feel like he’s more intense from the jump. He’s more locked in on the small details than anything else. He just wants us to be as best as we can every rep. So, just seeing that, his intensity, is just very impactful to me.”
On if he’s talked with any former players about Rick Barnes’ initiation process with his point guards
“Yeah, a little bit. I talked to Ja’Kobi a little bit. Zakai, when he was here. They were just telling me, you know, just trust the process. Like he’s gonna be on you the most because you’re the point guard. So you got to be reflective of him. So yeah, just them giving me that insight was very helpful.”
On what Rick Barnes is harping on the most right now about Hill’s game
“My speed. Obviously, I play at a different type of pace, but he just wants me to pick up my pace more, get the team going. Me using my voice more, just taking on that leader role. Yeah, I would just say speed and leadership.”
On why he is wearing No. 3
“So I wore three basically my whole life, my whole high school career, and then when I went to VCU, three was taken, so had to go to six. But now I feel like I’m back in my roots.”
On how much freshman wing Ralph Scott has grown since the start of summer practice
“Ralph is good, man. I feel like he had a welcome to college moment pretty early, when we were doing some drills. He was getting tired and stuff, but I could see the potential in him for sure. Just how hard he works. Like we’ll go a long day, and he’ll still come in the gym and get some shots up after everybody. That just shows his maturity. I think he’s gonna have a great season for sure.”
On his message to Tennessee’s young players
“Really just trusting the process, always believing in yourself, whether you’re the third guy on the depth chart or you’re the first guy that’s scoring all the points. Just really trust the process because basketball is an up and down slope with everything you do. So just trusting the process, trusting your work, and never forget what you came from.”
On how much he’s working off the ball right now
“More so than I did before, especially, I felt like guys are gonna kind of guard me different this year with the resume I had coming in from last year. So, just being able, like I said, to play with Dai Dai (Ames), Juke (Harris) and those guys — Jalen (Haralson) — for them to handle the ball is gonna make it a lot easier for all of us.”
On if he likes that he is playing off the ball more
“Yeah, yeah, for sure. Less energy.”
