Only a few people know fullback Jeremiah Hill (1.88m), wearing jersey number 68 in the national senior basketball team. Yet, his recent performance in Nigeria has contributed to Cameroon making it to the qualification tournament for the Paris Olympic Games. This is the first time in over ten years Cameroon is qualifying for such a tournament. 

In Nigeria, Cameroon won all their matches. Above all, they beat Senegal much to everyone’s surprise.  During the final, Jeremiah Hill was invaluable in defending rebounds, and in making a few counters along the way. He also scored 11 points, less than Samir Gbetkom's 19, the other man of the final.

The tattooed, shaggy-haired, debonair 27-year-old basketball player is by no means a superstar like  Joël Embiid and Pascal Siakam, the two NBA superstars who have not yet decided to join the Cameroon national team. Born in Richmond Hills, Georgia, to Cameroonian parents, Jeremiah Hill was never drafted into the NBA.

His career began in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association), a sports association that organizes a tournament for major American colleges and universities. He started with Savannah State before moving on to Valdosta State. He then joined Lakeland in the G-League, the equivalent of the American second division.

In 2019, he left the USA for a European tour to make a name for himself. He made his debut in Kazakhstan with PBC Astana after which he moved on to Parma Basket in Russia and Spain, where he was called up to replace American Marcquise Reed at BCM Gravelines-Dunkerque. His fame grew and he was discovered by Spain’s Real Betis, where he played 12 games, fulfilling his performance contract, according to experts. Last January, he joined Girona, a club in the Spanish Liga Endesa. In July, his departure was mooted for a more established club. This is proof that Jeremiah Hill's career is on track for more success. 

Michel Ange Nga