Longtime Statesboro basketball coach Lee Hill passes away

Led Blue Devils to more than 800 wins and state championship in 1991

By Jake Wallace | August 1, 2020 at 4:58 PM EDT - Updated August 1 at 4:58 PM

STATESBORO, Ga. (WTOC) - Legendary Statesboro High School boys basketball coach Lee Hill passed away Saturday morning, WTOC has learned.

Hill has been the Blue Devils’ head boys basketball coach for more than four decades, leading SHS to more than 800 wins and a state championship in 1991.

Lee Hill led the Blue Devils boys basketball program for more than four decades. Hill passed away Saturday, WTOC has learned. (Source: WTOC)

The school dedicated their basketball court to Hill in 2016. Since then, all basketball games at Statesboro High have been played on Lee Hill Court.

Condolences for Hill's death quickly poured in on social media Saturday. (Source: WTOC)

Condolences for Hill and his family quickly began pouring in from around the basketball world and more Saturday.

Georgia head men’s basketball coach Tom Crean:

To all the players, coaches, fellow teachers , friends and most importantly, his family , we are sorry for your loss of such a great man. I met Coach in Cincinnati back in the early 90s and he always treated me as a friend. I appreciated his spirit and passion very much. pic.twitter.com/WHl6g2eJ6h
— Tom Crean (@TomCrean) August 1, 2020

South Carolina head men’s basketball coach Frank Martin:

My man Lee Hill went to b with God. One of the great people that basketball brought into my life. Coach Hill lived to care and help everyone. Man I’ll miss u https://t.co/CIuQnDPJXg
— Frank Martin (@FrankMartin_SC) August 1, 2020

Statesboro Mayor Jonathan McCollar:

I can't put into words the loss our community has suffered. This is Truly a sad day for our city. Coach Hill we will always love you. #MyHero #RestInPeace #WeAreStatesboro
Posted by Mayor Jonathan McCollar on Saturday, August 1, 2020

Groves High School head boys’ basketball coach Kevin Evans:

Rip Coach Hill.. great man and coach, had some battles with my boy @JSR_HighFlyin10.. prayers to you brother and those close to Coach❤️🏀
— Kevin Evans (@Coach_KEvans) August 1, 2020

Johnson High School girls’ basketball:

Johnson High School’s Athletics Department just learned of the passing of coaching legend Lee Hill, and we would like to extend heartfelt condolences to the Hill Family and Statesboro High School Community.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you all!!
— AtomSmashers_WBB (State Champions) (@AtomsmashersW) August 1, 2020

Vidalia High School Indians:

The Vidalia Indian Nation is saddened to learn of the passing of legendary Statesboro Basketball Coach Lee Hill. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hill family and the Statesboro Blue Devil family.
— @VidaliaAthletics (@VidaliaAthleti1) August 1, 2020

Holy Innocents’ head boys’ basketball coach Cabral Huff:

My heart is heavy as we’ve lost a legend in the state Of GA; Coach Lee Hill was special to me in my coaching career even before my time at Ga Southern. I am heartbroken. Prayers and condolences to the Hill family. RIP to a beacon of light in the Ga basketball community pic.twitter.com/aV5lMkg459
— Cabral Huff (@CoachCabralHuff) August 1, 2020