In the summer of 1990, Tommy Amaker, then an assistant coach at Duke, received an unexpected call from freshman Grant Hill. Amaker had been closely involved in Hill’s recruitment, so he was surprised when Hill confessed he was having second thoughts about staying at Duke. “Are you crazy?” Amaker exclaimed, unable to understand how Hill failed to recognize his own talent. At the time, Hill was battling self-doubt, unsure if he belonged on such a prestigious basketball team. Ironically, it was this self-awareness that helped set him apart. That mindset, coupled with his drive, contributed to his 2018 induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
But Hill’s story wasn’t just about talent or perseverance it was also shaped deeply by his mother, Janet Hill. A Duke trustee emerita from 2006 to 2021, she passed away in 2022, before Hill’s induction. Her values, especially her emphasis on integrity and excellence, were the guiding force in his life. “Don’t fear failure,” she often told her quiet, introverted son the same boy who once played imaginary games of basketball alone.
So when Grant Hill stood before Duke’s Class of 2025 on May 11 to deliver their Commencement Address, he knew what they needed to hear. Despite his vast business success. owning stakes in franchises like the Atlanta Hawks, Baltimore Orioles, and more. his message wasn’t about wealth or status. It was about living intentionally and with purpose.
“Many say they want to do the right thing,” Hill told the graduates. “So why does it feel like few actually do?” He challenged them to close that gap. Citing Duke’s founder, James B. Duke, Hill reminded students that education should be practical, not just theoretical. “Don’t just name your values,” he urged, “Live them.”
One of his mother’s principles, number seven on her list, was: Don’t be a passenger in life. For Hill, this meant that values should be lived through action. Respect means giving others grace, inclusion means making space at the table, and excellence requires effort especially when no one is watching.
He ended his speech by circling back to his mother’s most powerful lesson: Don’t fear failure. She believed failure was a teacher, but success when unchecked could be even more dangerous. According to Hill, success without gratitude breeds complacency, and success without resilience opens the door to corruption.
“Duke students know how to grind,” Hill acknowledged. “But if you only know success, you risk chasing validation instead of purpose.”
Despite being a basketball legend, Hill’s heart never strayed far from Duke. In his address, he called it the place he is most proud to be associated with. Duke President Vincent Price introduced Hill not just as a star athlete, but as someone who embodies leadership and integrity. He reminded the audience of the unforgettable assist Hill gave to Christian Laettner in 1992 one of the most iconic plays in NCAA history. That moment sealed Hill’s place in Duke lore, and his return to campus was a full-circle moment.
Jay Bilas, former Duke assistant coach, once called Hill “the standard for what a complete player and person should be.” Given his role in Duke’s back-to-back championships in 1991 and 1992, it’s clear that Hill has lived up to that standard and then some.
And now, standing before Duke’s newest graduates, he hopes they’ll carry forward the same values: not just to dream, but to do. Not just to succeed, but to lead with integrity.
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