I felt like it was Toy Story at USA Basketball Camp on day one because there was a player with immediate buzz out there and his name is Colton Hiller out of Coatesville, Pennsylvania. He’s just 14 years old, plays like he’s been on this stage before, and recently made the USA U16 National Team that’ll be competing in Juarez, Mexico, June 2–8.
I’ve been around a lot of talent over the years, and from day one of training camp, Colton stood out. It wasn’t just the fact that he caught a tip dunk on two defenders and yeah, he really did that. More than anything, it was his poise. You don’t usually see a 14-year-old this calm and confident at a USA Basketball Camp. He never looked rattled. He played his game from start to finish. The majority of the players I’ve talked to over the years said in their first USA Training Camp were usually a bit nervous, but that didn’t look the case for Colton.
Who Is Colton Hiller?
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Class: 2028
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Position: SG / SF
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Height/Weight: 6’5”, 190 lbs
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High School: Coatesville High School (PA)
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AAU Team: PSA Cardinals (Nike EYBL)
High School Dominance
Colton made a name for himself this past season as a freshman at Coatesville High School. The numbers don’t lie. He was giving teams 20 a night and led Coatesville to an 11–3 record, going 7–0 in their division.
There was one game that really stood out to me; Against Bishop Shanahan, he scored 13 of the team’s 14 points in overtime. He finished with 21 points overall and pretty much single handedly willed them to a 67–64 win! That’s not normal freshman behavior. That’s a kid who’s already wired to perform when the game’s on the line.
He ended up being named to the MaxPreps Freshman All-America Team, which is well deserved.
AAU & National Buzz
Colton runs with PSA Cardinals on the Nike EYBL circuit, and if you know grassroots hoops, you know how competitive that is. Even there, against top-tier talent, his game translates. He shoots it, plays with toughness, and never looks out of place. If anything, he looks like the one everyone else is trying to catch up to. His play earned him a finalist spot for the USA U16 Team, and after what I saw in camp, it was no shock when they called his name to be on the final roster.
Early Observations
1. He can SHOOT the ball.
He’s got range, and he doesn’t need a lot of space to get it off. Whether it’s off the dribble or spotting up, that jumper is smooth and consistent.
2. He uses his body like a vet!
He knows how to create space, use angles, and absorb contact. At 6’5”, he’s already got the size and strength to get to his spots but also
3. He plays with maturity.
What really blew me away was how poised he was. You would think that he’s a junior or senior out there with how steady he is. He never forces it, doesn’t get sped up and doesn’t look out of place at his young age.
Interview: Colton Talks Inspirations
I asked Colton who he likes to study and model his game after. His answer?
“Luka Dončić and Kon Knueppel.”
Luka makes sense, but Kon Knueppel? That’s the first time I’ve ever heard a player his age say that. It tells you Colton isn’t just watching highlights, Cotlon understands the game, and makes smart reads. That says a lot about how he sees the game and how he wants to grow.
What’s Next
With the FIBA Americas Championship around the corner, Colton’s going to have the chance to represent the country and keep showing the world what he’s about. But from what I’ve seen already, his game, his attitude, and his IQ are just the beginning.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Colton Hiller Is Different! If you didn’t know his name, you’ve heard it here first.