Fresno State’s Justin Hutson edges ex-Bulldogs coach Rodney Terry for this Valley transfer

Fresno State received a commitment from Tulsa transfer Isaiah Hill, a Bakersfield product the Bulldogs pursued when he was a senior at Liberty High.

The Valley tie played a large role in his decision to return home, and was a reason Fresno State coach Justin Hutson beat former Bulldogs coach Rodney Terry for Hill’s commitment. Terry, who coached at Fresno State from 2011-18, heads the basketball program at University of Texas-El Paso.

“I just wanted to be closer to home, and (Hutson), we have a great relationship,” said Hill, a 6-foot guard who will be a sophomore. “I was considering UTEP a lot. Coach Terry and Kenton Paulino, they recruited me. I’ve had a great relationship since my freshman year with them.

“So it was a relationship thing with them. But coming back home ... the best overall perfect fit is Fresno, easily.”

Hill played in 31 games with seven starts last season for Tulsa, averaging 4.2 points and 2.2 assists per game.

His best game came in a 69-56 victory over Boise State when Hill scored 14 points, hitting 6 of 10 shots with five rebounds, one assist and two steals. For the season he played 20.4 minutes per game, seventh-highest on the team, and was second with 69 assists and third with 31 steals.

Bakersfield connection

Hill likes the idea of playing in front of his family more often.

“My brother is in Fresno,” Hill said. “It’s an hour and a half from home, and my parents can come watch me play. I love the way Coach Hut coaches and the way his offense is, how he really puts a lot of things on defense.

“He’s from Bakersfield. I just felt like everything was right.”

Hill is a key piece for a Fresno State team that’s in a rebuild after going 11-19 last season. The Bulldogs lost seven games by six points or less and continually were set back by injuries. Only one player, freshman forward Orlando Robinson, played in every game.

Fresno State has room to make some moves with guards Mustafa Lawrence and Aguir Agau and forward Lazaro Rojas transferring out. All three had diminishing roles through the season.

Hill at Liberty set school scoring records for points in a season (677) and in a career (1,822). He averaged 26.0 points per game as a senior.

This story was originally published March 31, 2020 at 9:18 PM.