PISCATAWAY, NJ – Adrian Hill, a 6-7, 225-pound forward from McKinley High School in Canton, OH has become the fourth member of Rutgers University men’s basketball’s 2002 recruiting class, it was announced by head coach Gary Waters today.

Hill averaged 17.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.0 blocks and shot 50% from the field his senior year while earning All-State (second-team) honors from the Associated Press. Hill was also a first-team All-League selection while leading the Bulldogs to a 17-9 record and an appearance in the Ohio High School State Athletic Association (OHSAA) Division I Tournament semifinals.

Hill was a three-year starter for the tradition-rich McKinley High program, which has produced many top players, including Eric Snow of the Philadelphia 76ers as well as former NBA player Gary Grant. McKinley has made a record 25 consecutive appearances in the state tournament. This past April, Hill competed on the Ohio team in the Rising Star Classic, an annual event in New Castle, PA that pits an All-Star team from Ohio against a team comprised of standouts from Pennsylvania.

“We are excited that Adrian has elected to continue his education and play basketball at Rutgers University,” said Waters. “Adrian was one of the top big men in the state of Ohio last year, exhibited a great deal of leadership qualities to lead a very young team to a fine season.

“He is a terrific athlete and great shot-blocker,” added Waters. “I am thrilled that we have been able to add Adrian to our program.”

Hill will be a freshman on the 2002-2003 Scarlet Knight team and becomes the fourth member of the 2002 Rutgers recruiting class, joining 6-7 forward Cortez Davis of Washington DC and the Laurinburg Institute (NC), 6-1 guard Calvin Wooten of Mackenzie HS in Detroit, and 6-9 power forward Harry Good from Fresno City College.