After graduation from Villanova university Hilliard was drafted 38th by Detroit in the 2015 NBA Draft. The experts noted that the player is a gifted shooter, tough and smart defender, ready to pass to the open teammate.
Hilliard has played his first three years of pro career in the NBA, including 14 games with San Antonio. His first two pro seasons were with Detroit. Overall he played 91 NBA games, averaging 3.2 points in less than 10 minutes per game. Hilliard also won the NBA G League title last season with Austin, averaging 21.2 points per game. Additionally, he played with the senior United States national team that took the gold medal at the 2017 FIBA AmeriCup and was named to the all-tournament team.
Hilliard played just one season in Europe defending the colors of Baskonia. He didn’t miss a single game during entire season averaging 9.4 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists. In 35 games of ACB Darrun averaged 10.8 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists while making 42.5% of three-pointers.
Dimitris Itoudis, CSKA head coach:
From the first moment we contacted him, Darrun was very thrilled and enthusiastic about the opportunity to play for CSKA. In his first year in Europe, he showed that he is a good creator, executor, defender, a team player. Now I don’t need to say much – the rest should be proven on the court. We are happy to have him on the team. We welcome Darrun to the CSKA family.
Darrun Hilliard, CSKA forward:
When the opportunity to play for one of the most prestigious clubs in the history of Europe was presented to me, I felt like this was just too good of an opportunity for me to pass up. It’s an honor to play for Coach Itoudis, and I can’t wait to get to Moscow to experience the incredible tradition of CSKA basketball! My only agenda coming in is to help CSKA win games and win more titles. I will give my heart and soul in every practice and game to do what I can to contribute to that winning.
