Even those still learning sports know and hear players say they want to be the very best like no one ever was.
As it applies to Minnesota high school basketball prospects, Totino-Grace guard Malachi Hill is closing in on the top spot.
Following a sensational junior season, Hill is currently considered Minnesota’s No. 3 prospect in 247 Sports’ composite ratings. The service also views the 6-foot, 170-pound rising senior as the nation’s No. 33 point guard prospect in the Class of 2027.
“I never thought I’d be ranked on any type of national ranking,” Hill admitted. “Just because you never see anybody ranked in Minnesota, or it’s hard to be ranked [when you’re] from Minnesota.”
Hill’s recruitment is skyrocketing after Totino-Grace’s fourth state championship in five seasons. He’s recently received offers from Tennessee Tech, Ohio University, and the University of Montana.
Playing for Nick Carroll, the coach for all four of the Eagles’ recent titles, certainly helps.
“You never can relax around him,” Hill said. “There’s never ‘good enough.’ You always could do better. Being around that winning mentality, you’re always gonna push for the best thing.”
Hill comes from a decorated basketball family. His sister, Jade, was the starting point guard at the University of St. Thomas for four seasons. His older brother, P.J., played at Ohio State, and their father, Paul, is a longtime youth basketball coach
But his older sister, Tayler, is easily the most accomplished of the group, setting state records for career scoring while playing at South High (Minn.) in the late 2000s. She was a two-time first-team All-Big Ten selection at Ohio State and spent six seasons in the WNBA after being the No. 4 pick in 2013.
Now, it’s Malachi’s time, and he’s taking full advantage.
“It’s all about the heart and skill,” Hill said. “Just because my family’s done things doesn’t mean I can’t build my own path.
“I am on my own journey,” Hill added, “and I will be exceeding everything they’ve done.”
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