Cleo Hill, Jr. was named the ninth head coach of the Winston-Salem State University men’s basketball program in the spring of 2018, and he leads the team into the next chapter in the storied history of Rams men’s basketball. The son of one of the most legendary players in school history, Hill, Jr. wasted no time creating a strong place of his own in the history of Rams basketball.
Hill, Jr. led the Rams to a 19-9 overall record during the 2022-24 season, the best overall record in the CIAA. After coaching the Rams to a perfect 6-0 sweep of the Northern division, had the Rams ranked in the D2CSC Atlantic rankings eight times, had two players (Jaylen Alston and Isaac Parson) named HBCU Player of the Week, saw Imajae Dodd earn multiple CIAA Defensive Weekly Awards, Hill Jr was named the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Men's Coach of the Year. Under Hill this year the Rams are scoring 70.3 points per game. The Rams finished second in the CIAA in scoring defense averaging 63.3 points per game, and first in scoring margin (7.5). Hill and the Rams finished second in field goal percentage (0.457), first in opponent field goal percentage (0.395), second in team 3-point field goal percentage (0.330), fourth in 3-point field goals made, and first in team defensive rebounds (26.7).
Hill, Jr. guided the Rams in the 2022-23 season to become the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Tournament Champions and Gary Miller Classic PA Champions. The Rams also earned an NCAA automatic bid. Player standouts under Hill Jr.’s tutelage were CIAA Tournament MVP, Jaylen Alston, and All-Conference pick, Jaylon Gibson.
Despite the most uncertain of times during the Covid-plagued season in 2020-21, which included stops and starts, shutdowns, cancellations, and postponements, Hill, Jr. was unwavering and continued to propel his team to success. The Rams were Southern Division Champions and Hill, Jr. secured his 200th win as a Head Coach. He helped develop Cameron Campbell and Javante Cook who both earned All-Conference player titles. Javante Cook also landed a spot on the HBCU All-Star team and was ultimately drafted to the G-League.
In his first two seasons with the Rams, Hill, Jr. led the team to its first CIAA championship in eight years and a 31-25 overall record. In addition to the team’s tournament championship, the Rams also claimed a share of the 2019-20 CIAA Southern Division Championship. Along the way, he was named the 2019-20 CIAA Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year and helped the team to rank seventh in the nation in scoring defense and first in the CIAA. He also led a pair of Rams, Robert Colon and William Crandell, to earn All-CIAA honors during his time. The Rams also made their first trip to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region Tournament since 2013.
Prior to taking the reins of the WSSU program, Hill, Jr. had a successful run as the head coach at Shaw University from 2008-15, where he led the Bears to a 116-67 record in seven seasons. Hill, Jr. most notably had two back-to-back standout seasons during this time. In the 2011-2012 season, the Bears went undefeated with a 16-0 conference record, a feat that had not been achieved since 1993. The Shaw University Bears were the Southern Division Champs, earned an NCAA tournament automatic bid, made a Sweet 16 Atlantic Regional final appearance, and landed and end of year ranking of #5 in the country. Hill, Jr. coached CIAA Player of the Year and Atlantic Region Player of the Year, Malik Alvin, who also achieved All-CIAA Team status along with his teammate, Tony Smith. Hill, Jr. was also named CIAA Coach of the Year and BOXTOROW Coach of the Year.
The 2010-2011 season was the precursor to the breakout season, with the Bears winning the CIAA championship. Hill, Jr. helped develop CIAA tournament MVP, Raheem Smith, who was also named All-CIAA Team along with teammate, Tony Smith.
Hill, Jr. was recognized for his achievements and named NSAA/NCAA DII Clarence Big House Gaines Coach of the Year and BOXTOROW Coach of the Year.
Hill, Jr.’s coaching success didn’t begin at Shaw, as he spent five years as the head coach for the Cheyney University Wolves from 2003-08. Consistent in his trajectory, he concluded his final year with the Wolves on top, earning PSAC Coach of the Year. The Wolves were 2007 – 08 Co-Division Champs with a 10-2 record, led the conference in scoring averaging 81 PPG, earned their 2nd NCAA tournament bid, and produced two All-Conference players, Robert Simpson and Tymir Smith.
He made an immediate impact in his first year with the Wolves, winning the Eastern Division title with a 10-2 record in the 2003-04 season. Hill, Jr.’s Wolves led the conference in scoring, averaging 82 PPG, earned an NCAA tournament bid, and produced the East Player of the Year, Anthony Frazier.
Before obtaining his first head coach position, Hill, Jr. spent time as an assistant coach with Shaw University from 2000-02. Hill, Jr. supported the team as they clinched a CIAA Championship and made an elite 8 and final appearance. In addition, Hill assisted in the development of Ronald “Flip” Murray as he was voted CIAA Player of the year, Division II Player of the Year and Drafted the number 42 overall pick, 2nd round of the NBA.
1998-99, Hill, Jr. was the assistant coach at the University of Nebraska, and the team earned an NIT bid. Prior to Nebraska, Hill, Jr. was an assistant coach at Mount Zion Christian Academy from 1996-97, where he coached the #1 player in the country, lottery pick, and NBA Hall of Fame inductee Tracy McGrady. This is also where he solidified an incredible record of 26-3, and the team was ranked #1 in the country.
Hill Jr.’s first assistant coaching role was with Orange High School in New Jersey from 1991-94. Highlights included winning the 1993-94 State Championship, winning the schools first and only Tournament of champions, championship and finishing the season ranked # 17 in the country.
As a player, Hill, Jr. carried on his family’s history of successful basketball careers. As part of the Country Victorian Invitational Basketball League (CVIBL) Hill, Jr. played for the Swan Hill Flyers for the 1990 and 1991 seasons. 1990 saw Hill, Jr. avg 32 PPG, and in 1991, 41 PPG and 8 assists per game. He was named Player Coach and MVP of the All-Star game with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 19 assists.
Hill, Jr. attended North Carolina Central University where he was selected to the South Atlantic Region All-Tournament team as a senior and is still among the school’s all-time leading scorers.
A native of Orange, New Jersey, Hill is the son of Rams basketball legend, the late Cleo Hill, Sr., a 2017 National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame inductee. Hill Sr., a 6-1 guard, scored 2,488 points in his career at WSSU, second only to Earl “The Pearl” Monroe. He was drafted eighth in the 1961 NBA draft by the St. Louis Hawks, the first player from an
HBCU drafted in the NBA first round. Hill’s jersey was officially retired in 2017 and is in a place of honor at WSSU’s C.E. Gaines Center.
From his father to the future, Hill, Jr. and his wife Regina have 2 children (Sage and Cleo III and his oldest daughter Ciara Simone Hill.
