H-F Native, Star Athlete Back In Spotlight As Park District Rec Head

HOMEWOOD-FLOSSMOOR, IL — There's no place like home for a local man who is back where it all started for him. Homewood native and successful athlete Maurius Hill has returned to his roots, taking over as recreation supervisor at the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District.

Hill, a 2013 alum of Homewood-Flossmoor High School, took his talent for basketball to the court at University of Arkansas at Little Rock and later international, before ultimately landing the gig at his hometown park district. His skill was nurtured through his time at Homewood schools, and he looks forward to helping other athletes find their stride.

"I love the development," Hill told Patch. "My whole career for my work field, I always have the goal of development, always have the goal of watching someone from a young age make the development, go to the next level."

Hill is a graduate of Flossmoor District 161's Heather Hill Elementary and Parker Middle School. He went on to make varsity at Homewood-Flossmoor High School, before then moving on to attend University of Arkansas on full scholarship. There, he helped lead the team to win its conference championship his junior year. The school was a member of the Sun Belt conference then, but has since become part of the Ohio Valley Conference. The team earned a bid in the NCAA tournament as a 12-seed, beating Purdue in the first round before falling to Iowa State in the second. Overall, it was the Little Rock Trojans' winningest season to date.

Hill went on to play professionally for the Republic of Georgia and then Luxembourg, before injury forced a move off the court. He then returned home to Homewood-Flossmoor, where he stepped into the classroom as a permanent substitute, as well as back onto the court as assistant coach of varsity basketball 2019-2021.

Opportunity called in 2021, when he was called up to coach the feeder league for the NBA's Golden State Warriors, known as the G League's Santa Cruz Warriors.

"I got another crazy opportunity," Hill told Patch, of his time as an associate coach and operations manager.

"... I did a little bit of everything, whether it was on the court, scouting, chopping up film, helping out the coaches," he said. "

Hill helped lead the team to a championship before leaving his role. He's now looking forward to having a hand in shaping recreation programs and guiding young athletes locally. For instance, he's a part of the basketball program through James Hart school.

"Right now I’m seeing what we have going on, learning what’s already going on," Hill said. "What’s really good what doesn’t need to change. ... There’s nothing I would say right off the bat that needs to be done, I think this is a great program over here."

He enjoys the process of talent development, fostering individual growth on and off the court. He hopes to see many build on their skills and find ways to climb the ranks.

"When you’re in junior high, you’re still learning yourself," he said, "... It's priceless to be in those processes, even better when you have more than one making that jump."