Get to know 2024 Marquette men's basketball recruiting prospect Josh Hill

Josh Hill fits the mold of what Marquette head coach Shaka Smart looks for in a recruit: a long, rangy athlete from a winning program who is just scratching the surface of his potential.

The 6-foot-11 2024 prospect plays at one of the nation's top teams at Wheeler High School, which won the 7A state championship in Georgia with a loaded roster that included one of the most-coveted 2023 recruits in point guard Isaiah Collier.

Hill plays AAU for Garner Road Basketball Club based in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he lived for a few years as a youth. He has a close relationship with David West, a former Xavier and NBA player who coaches with Garner Road.

The Golden Eagles' interest in Hill was piqued this summer, and he will make an official visit to MU's campus starting on July 26.

Hill took a few minutes to give his thoughts about MU and his skyrocketing recruitment.

Your Wheeler team had a bunch of NCAA Division 1 recruits. How did that help your game?

Hill: It really just helped me on the IQ aspect of it. Just learning how to become a better basketball player. Watching a lot of film. Just being around it more often. We really got one of the best coaches in the country (Larry Thompson) and also great assistant coaches that work with us individually. So it's just us constantly working out, us constantly being around guys that know the game of basketball at a high level, know what it takes to get there and put a lot of kids in school, bring in a whole bunch of colleges to come watch us in like the preseason.

How did Marquette get interested in you?

Hill: It was actually over this live period in June, the high school live period. They reached out to me after my first game. Like, I really don't think I had the best game that game and they still reached out to me. They wanted to build a relationship. Me and Coach Dre (MU assistant DeAndre Haynes), me and him got on the phone a lot. We talked a lot and just started building relationships. As that continued, Shaka got involved and they started to watch me more. They came to a lot more games. They were also at my Adidas live period this last weekend (in Rock Hill, South Carolina). So they've really just been interested; they see how far my game has come and how I can be big part of their program and what I bring to the table for them and also what they bring to the table for me. They feel like I can be a part of their system and their culture. I can't wait to get up there and take a visit.

You said you didn't have a good game the first time they saw you. Did they tell you what they liked about you?

Hill: They said they like my versatility, what I bring to the table on both ends. Being able to stretch the floor. They also see that I can score in many ways, create for myself and they see my potential. Like me continuing to get better and skyrocketing as a player. The only flaw they see in my game is that I'm not big enough. But they said if I get to their school and end up committing there, they said that would be a big thing for me, the weight thing, because the Big East is not a non-physical game. It's a very physical game. They continue to tell me things I need to work on and things that they see in me that I need to keep doing. They are very in tune with me and my mom and my coach. They really like me a lot. Shaka wants me to make that decision when it's time.

You said you were excited to visit. How did it come together so quickly?

Hill: The relationship and me not taking an official before. This is going to be my first official. Took a lot of unofficial ones, but not an official yet.

What are you looking forward to most?

Hill: The culture. Being around the guys. Also seeing the campus. Sitting down with Coach and seeing them play. Really, just everything. Seeing what they have to offer education-wise. What I could potentially be majoring in if I do make that decision to go there. Ask the guys questions. Ask the coaches questions. Be around the environment, get a good feel, soak it in. See if I want to go there.

The coaching staff has a good reputation for developing big guys. Have they sent you clips on how they would use you?

Hill: They send me clips of the wings. They send me clips of the bigs. They also send me a little practice film. They send me a guidance of how the culture is. They send me a lot of things just to keep me updated and keep me in the loop of what goes on so I don't feel left out or I don't know what's going on.

Would you say your game is more like a big guy or a wing?

Hill: I would say a little of both. If you want me to go post up, I can. To be able to stretch the floor (with shooting) and do other things, which the game is coming to do now, guard multiple positions, switch off ball screens. Stuff like that. Being able to shoot the ball well, too. Put it on the floor if I need to get downhill to create my own shot. I feel like I can do a little bit of everything and that's the goal. Be the most versatile and be the most all-around basketball player I can be. I want to be able to fill up every space in the box score.

I have seen you listed at 6-9 and 6-11. Do you want to say officially for the record what height you are right now?

Hill: 6-11. They said I might be seven feet, but I don't know. It's up there.

You said Marquette coaches were at the AAU live period last week. How did you play?

Hill: I played really well. I would say I was very aggressive on both ends of the floor. Really just so into the game for my team, wanting us to win every possession. Just battling on both ends of the floor, giving my all while I am out there. Knocking down shots. Putting myself in certain situations so me and the the team can be successful. So I would say I really played well and tried to put on a show while they were there.

You said this was your first official visit. What is next?

Hill: I'm looking forward to setting one up with Xavier soon.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Josh Hill of Wheeler High School, Garner Road AAU will visit Marquette