Jalen Hill, Former UCLA Men's Basketball Big Man, Dies at 22
Former UCLA men's basketball forward/center Jalen Hill has died, his father shared via Instagram on Tuesday night.
Hill, who played for the Bruins from 2017 to 2021, had recently been reported missing in Costa Rica.
"Our hearts are shattered and completely broken to inform family and friends that our beloved son, Jalen, has passed away," George Hill wrote on Instagram. "Jalen went missing while in Costa Rica and we have recently learned of his passing. We realize that many will have questions, but we are unable to share any details at this time. We know Jalen has played a part in the live os so many people. We also acknowledge the role that so many of you have played in his. As we try to navigate this devastating time in our lives, we ask that you please give us time to grieve."
Jalen Hill was a four-star recruit out of Centennial (CA) who joined UCLA ahead of the 2017-2018 season. Hill made a total of 77 career appearances while averaging 6.5 points and 6.4 rebounds per game.
It wasn't always a given that Hill would put up big numbers in blue and gold, considering the unfortunate note his career started out on.
Hill, Cody Riley and LiAngelo Ball were arrested for shoplifting in China back in Nov. 2017 before the Bruins' season-opener against Georgia Tech in Shanghai. The three were suspended for their entire freshman year, but while Ball left the program, Hill and Riley persevered and made their returns in 2018.
From there, Hill became a mainstay in UCLA's lineup, excelling as a rebounder, shot blocker and finisher around the basket.
Hill was a driving force behind the Bruins' resurgent 2019-2020 squad in coach Mick Cronin's first year with the team. The then-redshirt sophomore averaged 9.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game, making 25 starts along the way.
Returning for the 2020-2021 season amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Hill split time down low with Riley. Midway through the season, however, the 6-foot-10 big man stepped away from the team.
Hill was not with UCLA during their surprise Final Four run in March 2021. Once the NCAA tournament had come to a close, he announced his retirement and publicly discussed the anxiety and depression problems that led him leaving the sport.
Many of Hill's former UCLA teammates, including Jaylen Clark, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kenneth Nwuba, David Singleton and Jules Bernard, took to social media to pay their respects and remember their friend just moments after news of his death became public.
Hill was 22 years old.
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