Photo via Hill on Instagram/ @terrencehilljr
Tennessee basketball landed the final piece of its roster last week when VCU center Christian Fermin committed to the Vols out of portal. Fermin was the second player from VCU to commit to Tennessee this offseason, joining point guard Terrence Hill Jr.
Hill projects as Tennessee’s starting point guard next season after averaging 15 points on 46.6% shooting from the field, 37% shooting from three-point range and 84.4% from the foul line.
Having played with Hill for a year and a half, Fermin has an up close understanding of Hill’s skillset.
“I can say, he’s probably the craftiest player I’ve played with in my college career so far, and I’ve played with a lot of great players, but he’s definitely your most offensively gifted one I’ve been with,” Fermin told RTI. “He’s a pace player. He doesn’t let anybody speed up. He’s going get to his spot wherever he wants to at most times for the most part.
“He’s just an offensive weapon. He just knows how to get a bucket in any way. Like, I feel like you have one of the best mid range shots that I’ve been around. I feel like he finishes well.”
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Hill proved to be a high-level scorer in his sophomore season at VCU. His 128.3 offensive rating ranked 74th nationally last season. He proved his prowess on the big stage as well, totaling 34 points, five assists added five rebounds in the Rams’ NCAA Tournament win over North Carolina.
One area Hill is looking to prove he can do more is as a pass-first point guard. Hill averaged just 2.8 assists per game last season, but Fermin expressed his confidence in Hill’s ability as a passer.
“He’s also a great passer. Like, I don’t know if people say that about him specifically, but he’s like, he’s a really great passer. Like, he’s not self. He’ll give it up like off of a read. Like, if he draws two, he’s easily dishing it. He’s just a complete package. He’s like, on the offensive and, he’s just a threat from every level. Obviously, he has a three, his handle is tight, he’s everything you want in a guard offensively.”
After three straight trips to the Elite Eight, Tennessee basketball is looking to break down the door and make the program’s first ever Final Four. The Vols underwent a major roster overhaul this offseason, losing six players to the transfer portal before adding eight transfers.
That group includes Hill, Fermin, Cal combo guard Dai Dai Ames, Wake Forest guard Juke Harris, Belmont guard Tyler Lundblade, Notre Dame wing Jalen Haralson, Kennesaw State forward Braedan Lue and Loyola (Chicago) center Miles Rubin.