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Joe Hillman averaged 41.3 points at Hoover; then he played for Indiana coach Bob Knight

Joe Hillman, 60, reminisces of his time winning the 1987 NCAA title at Indiana while playing for coach Bob Knight.

By Eric Sondheimer · LA Times

Published: Sunday, 18 October 2026 at 11:30 AM

Key Things to Know

Joe Hillman reflected on his journey from averaging 41.3 points at Hoover High to playing for Bob Knight at Indiana.
Hillman was Bob Knight's first recruit from west of the Mississippi River and won the 1987 NCAA championship.
He praised Knight's fierce loyalty to players who completed their degrees, sharing stories from his college career.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Former Hoover High basketball standout Joe Hillman spoke at the Glendale Quarterback Club, reflecting on his career and time playing under coach Bob Knight at Indiana. After averaging 41.3 points as a high school senior, Hillman became Knight's first recruit from west of the Mississippi River and won the 1987 NCAA championship with the Hoosiers.

Now 60 years old, Hillman shared stories about Knight's coaching methods, noting that Knight showed total loyalty to players who graduated. Hillman, who was also drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 1986, criticized the decline of multi-sport high school athletes and reflected on how today's NIL landscape contrasts with his college era.

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Joe Hillman averaged 41.3 points at Hoover; then he played for Indiana coach Bob Knight

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