Sami Hill

Sami Hill was born on 22 November 1994 in New York City, New York.^[1] Her hometown is Toronto, Ontario.^[1]

Hill was recruited heavily by Kenny Brooks, then the head coach for JMU.^[2] However, Hill attended Virginia Tech, where she played for the Hokies from 2013–2017. In her junior year, she helped the Hokies achieve their first winning season in ten years.^[1]

During her senior season, Brooks became the Hokies' head coach.^[2] That year, Hill was an integral part of the squad, which started the season 15–0.^[2][3] During her senior season, she was named to the All-ACC Academic Team.^[1]

Following her collegiate career, Hill went pro in 2017.^[1] She played for Donau-Ries [de] of the German DBBL from 2018–2020, and later played for Nantes Rezé Basket in France from 2021–2023.^[1] She also had a second stint with the German club, which later became known as Eigner Angels Noerdlingen [de].^[4]

In 2023, she signed with the Spanish club Araski AES.^[5] Araski's announcement of her signing also stated she had playing experience with the Mexican club Panteras de Aguascalientes.^[5] In April 2024, her efforts for Araski earned her Toyota Canada Players of the Week honors.^[6] During the corresponding week of April 22–26, she scored 16 points including shooting 10–10 from the free throw line in a win over Jairis [es].^[6] Hill ended her first season with the club as the team's leading scorer, averaging 9.6 points per game in 30 games played.^[7] In June, she re-signed with Araski for one year.^[7][8]

Hill has been a frequent member on Canada's rosters in international competitions.^[4] She first played with the junior national team in 2012, having continued to play with the program each summer since.^[4] While with the junior team, she won a silver medal at the 2015 Universiade tournament.^[1]

Summer of 2016 marked her first with the senior national team.^[9] As part of the team's roster at the 2017 FIBA Women's AmeriCup tournament, she won a gold medal.^[1] She later won a silver medal with the team at 2019 FIBA Women's AmeriCup.^[1] At the 2021 FIBA Women's AmeriCup tournament, Hill averaged 3.2 points, 0.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists over 6 games as Canada finished in fourth place.^[10] For the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Hill was an alternate for Canada.^[1]

Hill competed with the team at the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup, though missed the Qualifying Tournament due to her professional team having to quarantine as a result of COVID-19 issues.^[4] Hill helped Canada finish in fourth place at the World Cup.^[1] Later, at the 2023 FIBA Women's AmeriCup, Hill averaged 3.9 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 2.4 assists over 7 games.^[11] The team won the tournament's bronze medal.^[1]

She later helped Canada qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, playing in both Pre-Qualifying Tournament in November 2023,^[12] as well as the Qualifying Tournament in February 2024.^[13] In May, she was named as one of the 17 players attending the senior national team's training camp roster in preparation for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.^[14] In July, Hill was named to Canada's final 12-woman roster and marked her Olympic debut.^[15][16]

Made Urieta, Hill's coach at Araski, stated that she is "dangerous in the open field" and noted her defensive qualities, while also stating she is able to play both the one (point) and the two (shooting) positions as a guard.^[5]