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UCLA Basketball: Big man Jalen Hill could have a big season

By Mike Regalado

LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 15: Jalen Hill of the UCLA Men's Baskeball speaks to the media during a press conference at Pauley Pavilion on November 15, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Hill and two teammates have been suspended from the team after allegedly shoplifting while on a school trip to China. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 15: Jalen Hill of the UCLA Men's Baskeball speaks to the media during a press conference at Pauley Pavilion on November 15, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. Hill and two teammates have been suspended from the team after allegedly shoplifting while on a school trip to China. (Photo by Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images) /
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Things have been a little rocky with the UCLA basketball team, but there are a few individuals which could make help the Bruins next season. Big man Jalen Hill is one of them.

UCLA basketball‘s 2017-18 season could have ended differently… if it started differently. A trip to China on the Pac-12 Goodwill tour derailed that, not just for the team, but for three individuals.

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Last November, Jalen Hill, Cody Riley and LiAngelo Ball were involved in a shoplifting incident that gave the Bruins’ program a black eye. The good news is that things were settled with Chinese authorities, the players came back to the states safely and all three were issued their punishments… a season long suspension.

Though Ball bolted, Riley and Hill took their punishment (like adults), served their time and sat out the season. Unfortunately since then, UCLA finished 21-12 and had an unpleasant exit from the NCAA Tournament “play-in” game. It is also unknown if the Bruins are going to be without several key members including Riley, Jaylen Hands and Kris Wilkes, all of which have declared for the NBA Draft.

Luckily, the Bruins still have some individual talented and one of those we are excited to see is Hill.

Though Hill did not play last season, he was still allowed to practice with the team, so despite not seeing time on the court, he knows what is expected from head coach Steve Alford. Additionally, with the work he has put in, he should more prepared for the rigors of college basketball.

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Hill’s arrival at UCLA was highly anticipated. Not only was he going to be a terror on the offensive end, but he has natural defensive abilities that Alford desperately needs.

At 6’10, 230 lbs., Hill takes up a lot of space in the paint. His length allows him to stretch the defense, but his frame allows him to move players out of the way. He also has a soft touch which helps him with shot-range shots and tip-ins. On top of that, he has hops, so we can expect a lot of dunks and fancy layups come fall.

But the thing that sticks out to me is what he can do on the defensive end. He already has the natural ability to square up on the ball, but his positioning, size and footwork will help him in limiting opposing teams from trying to back him down.

Hill’s vision allows him to track where the offensive play is going and if teams try to make it into the paint, Hill will use his with his long arms to either swat away close-range attempts or change the shot entirely. Either way, he is what the Bruins need to defend the rim.

Last season, UCLA did not have a front court defensive threat. Though Thomas Welsh grabbed more than 10 rebounds per game on average, he was not necessarily the type of player that could scrap down low. That is where Hill comes in.

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With the 2017-18 season over, it is time to look towards the future. Though Hill will still have to wear the embarrassment of the China incident, he also has a chance at redemption. With the Bruins potentially going down to nine scholarship players next season, he will have more than enough time to prove himself on the court, but also in the hearts of UCLA basketball fans.