Grant Hill’s $60 Million Gift Marks a Monumental Shift in Duke Basketball History
In a move that will forever change the landscape of Duke basketball, legendary Duke Blue Devils alum Grant Hill has made a staggering $60 million donation to the university’s storied basketball program. This historic gift, one of the largest ever made by a former collegiate athlete to his alma mater, is more than just a financial gesture — it is a bold statement of belief in the future of Duke basketball, a passionate reaffirmation of the values that have shaped the program for decades, and a vision for a new era of excellence both on and off the court.
Hill, a Hall of Famer and two-time NCAA Champion, has always been synonymous with class, leadership, and excellence since his arrival at Duke in 1990. As a player under the legendary Mike Krzyzewski, Hill helped guide the Blue Devils to national titles in 1991 and 1992 and became a cornerstone of one of the greatest dynasties in college basketball history. Decades later, he continues to make an impact, not through points and rebounds, but through visionary leadership and strategic investment.
Now a highly successful businessman and a partner at Liquid 2 Ventures, a Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm, Hill has transitioned seamlessly from the hardwood to the boardroom. With his latest move, he’s bringing that same level of impact and foresight to the program that helped shape his career. Hill’s $60 million donation will be used to fund a wide range of initiatives, including facility enhancements, recruiting resources, athlete wellness and development programs, and NIL education platforms — all designed to ensure Duke remains at the forefront of the rapidly evolving world of college athletics.
Speaking about the donation, Hill emphasized that his decision was not about nostalgia but about purpose. “Duke has given me everything — an education, a national stage, and relationships that have lasted a lifetime,” Hill said in a statement. “This gift is about giving back to a place that shaped me and helping position Duke basketball for success in this new age of college sports. We are in a period of change, and I want Duke to lead that change.”
Hill’s emphasis on leadership is no surprise to those who know him. Since retiring from the NBA, where he enjoyed a 19-year career, Hill has become a respected figure in business, sports ownership, and media. As a co-owner of the Atlanta Hawks and a member of various boards, including the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the NCAA’s constitutional committee, Hill has played a pivotal role in shaping the dialogue around the future of collegiate and professional sports.
In that same spirit, Hill’s donation to Duke represents a long-term strategic investment in sustainability and competitive relevance. Much of the funding will go toward the renovation and expansion of the Schwartz-Butters Athletic Center, which houses many of the basketball program’s core operations. Planned upgrades include the creation of a cutting-edge performance center equipped with sports science labs, expanded recovery and wellness suites, and integrated tech platforms for data-driven performance monitoring. The center will also include enhanced meeting spaces for film review, scouting, and team development.
But Hill’s vision goes far beyond facilities. A significant portion of the gift will support the development of holistic athlete wellness programming, including mental health services, leadership training, and academic development. At a time when student-athletes are facing unprecedented pressure in the NIL era, Hill’s investment recognizes that success isn’t just measured in wins but in the well-being and long-term growth of the athletes.
One of the most forward-thinking aspects of the donation is Hill’s commitment to building an NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) education and resource platform within the basketball program. While Duke has traditionally been cautious in navigating the new NIL environment, this gift provides the infrastructure and resources necessary to empower athletes to understand and navigate their personal brands responsibly and successfully. The initiative will feature workshops, mentoring programs with Duke alumni, and direct support from legal and branding professionals.
“Today’s college athlete is not the same as 10 years ago — and that’s a good thing,” Hill said. “They have power, they have opportunity, and they need guidance. We want Duke to be a place where athletes are prepared not just to play, but to thrive — financially, socially, and emotionally. We want our guys to win on the court and win in life.”
The reaction from the Duke community has been overwhelming. Head coach Jon Scheyer called the donation “transformational,” saying it reflects the deep roots and enduring power of the Duke brotherhood. “Grant Hill has always been the epitome of what it means to wear Duke across your chest,” Scheyer said. “This gift is not only generous, but it’s visionary. It’s going to help us create a model program for what college basketball can be in the modern era.”
University President Vincent Price echoed those sentiments, praising Hill for his lifelong commitment to the institution. “This isn’t just about basketball,” Price said. “This is about excellence, leadership, and innovation. Grant Hill’s generosity will have ripple effects across the university, and we are incredibly grateful for his continued belief in the mission of Duke.”
Among the more symbolic but equally impactful components of the gift is the establishment of the Hill Scholars Program, a scholarship fund dedicated to supporting student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional leadership and community engagement. Each year, selected players will receive additional resources for personal and professional development, as well as opportunities to work on service projects across the globe in the offseason.
Hill’s donation also signals a potential shift in how other high-profile alumni may approach giving. With many programs around the country seeking to adapt to the pressures of NIL, the transfer portal, and increasing competition, former athletes are now being looked at as essential partners in sustaining excellence. Hill, with this bold step, has provided a blueprint for how meaningful engagement can look.
The move also comes at a critical juncture for the Duke program. As the post-Coach K era continues to take shape under Scheyer, the expectations remain sky-high. The Blue Devils are perennial contenders, but maintaining that status requires constant evolution — something Hill knows firsthand. His message is clear: tradition and innovation can coexist, and Duke must lead by example.
For the players currently on the roster, the impact of Hill’s gift will be immediate. Access to top-tier resources, from nutrition to analytics to branding, will make Durham one of the most attractive destinations in the country. For recruits, it reinforces the idea that Duke is not only a place to develop as a basketball player but as a complete person. And for fans, it’s a reassuring reminder that the pillars of the program — excellence, loyalty, and vision — remain intact.
While $60 million is a number that turns heads, it’s the intention behind the number that truly defines Hill’s contribution. It’s not just about outspending competitors — it’s about outthinking them. It’s not about replicating professional models, but redefining what college sports can be when guided by integrity and purpose.
As Duke ushers in this new chapter, it does so with one of its greatest ambassadors leading the charge. Hill, once a symbol of the program’s golden age, is now helping to forge its future. His journey — from freshman sensation to NBA star to entrepreneurial leader — is in many ways the perfect representation of what Duke basketball aspires to be: elite, principled, and ever-evolving.
And now, thanks to his extraordinary generosity and unwavering belief in the power of the Duke experience, the next generation of Blue Devils will have every tool necessary to chase greatness — not just in March, but for a lifetime.
