Beyond Basketball: PJ Hill's Mission to Inspire and Educate Young Athletes on Financial Literacy

Former professional basketball player, PJ Hill spoke with Media Lab host Micah Gatewood about the motivation behind coaching young people on basketball and financial literacy.

PJ Hill is a multi-faceted individual—a financial advisor, basketball coach, and former professional basketball player. Known for his time at The Ohio State University, Hill leverages the lessons learned from his basketball career to assist current players in managing their finances effectively. Now that his playing days are behind him, Hill focuses on teaching youth the fundamentals of basketball while fostering meaningful relationships.

Growing up, Hill's father instilled in him a belief that basketball could serve as a pathway to a better life. “My dad told me  from a young age, all of my siblings that, ‘Hey, basketball is going to be your vehicle out of this situation, so you can go live your dreams, you can go get an education, you can go travel the world,’” Hill recalls.

Coming from a family of athletes—his sister Tayler Hill played in the WNBA and his other siblings competed at the Division I level—Hill was poised for success. His high school experience was remarkable, playing on a varsity team filled with Division I talent. “I was the youngest dude playing…real old school, just structured like a little guy, but cold because I had heart,” he said.

Hill's dedication led him to a junior college, where he won a national championship and earned a full scholarship to Ohio State, playing there for three years. His international career further solidified his reputation, as he averaged over 14 points per game and emerged as a leader on and off the court. “I would be nothing without God,” he said.

Transitioning from basketball, Hill found a new purpose in financial advising. “In wealth management, we're less than 1% of Black advisors,” he notes, highlighting the need for representation in the field. The events surrounding George Floyd motivated him to apply his experiences in basketball to broader societal issues, pushing him to become a leader in his community.

“I thought basketball was my whole purpose. And when I left basketball, my identity was gone. But God was like, ‘Nah, this is just the beginning of what you are about to do now, your life after basketball is going to be more impactful, more fulfilling, more of all of these other things.’ And I've had that. I've made more money than I've ever made outside of basketball. I've changed more people's lives, but all because I'm walking in my God-given purpose.”