Many of the students Grant Hill spoke to Monday at Edward Waters College were not alive when he led Duke to two basketball national championships in the early 1990s.

But he told them the outcome of this presidential election means more for them.

The retired basketball great spoke at the college about the differences between Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, whose campaign brought Hill to Jacksonville.

"I'm with her," Hill said of his support for Clinton, saying she has the experience and other qualities to be commander-in-chief while Trump "is just really an embarrassment on the world stage for our country."

Clinton will unite people, Hill said, while Trump will divide Americans and "continue to spread hate and anger."

Hill has a personal story to demonstrate his support for Clinton.

His mother, Janet Hill, was raised in segregated New Orleans and didn't have a conversation with a white person until she left the city for the all-female, predominantly white Wellesley College. There she was one of only five black students and wanted to leave. Her parents would not let her. A young white student befriended her and encouraged her to stay in school.

"She was a fighter for some stranger when it wasn't fashionable to fight for people of color," Hill said of Clinton reaching out to his mother well before she even ran for public office.

Hill, who lives in Orlando, said he knows the importance of this election and the importance of Florida in it. He said he hosted fundraisers and other events before previous elections, but is now beginning to assist in the drive to register voters and will until the Oct. 11 deadline.

"I felt like I couldn't sit back," Hill said.

He said his first set of events is this week.

"I know Hillary Clinton, as president, will have a seat at the table for everybody," Hill said.

Hill, who played for the Detroit Pistons, Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Clippers, spoke to several dozen students in the gym. He urged them to register, to make calls and to talk to their friends.

"We only have 45 days until Nov. 8," Hill said. "… Until then, we are going to cover every corner in Florida."

Interim athletic director Stanley Cromartie urged students to be informed and watch the Monday night debate between the two presidential candidates. He and student Jamarien Moore also urged fellow members of the Edward Waters community to register.

Sebastian Kitchen: (904) 359-4161