Jackson Paisley

Donta Hall is a product of small town Luverne, Alabama. He was ranked as the #2 player in the state of Alabama, and was also named 2A Player of the Year his senior season. Hall had a very successful high school career. The 6’9” forward was the first student-athlete from Luverne High School to get a D1 scholarship. During his first two seasons with the Crimson Tide, Hall has appeared in over 30 games. Shooters have been weary of coming in the paint on Donta. During Hall’s freshman season, he was second on the team and sixth in the SEC with 1.7 blocks per game, and led the team in blocks his sophomore season. Donta Hall has been a role player in his first two seasons in Tuscaloosa, but this season things have changed.

Donta Hall has stepped in to a key role for the Tide basketball team this season. He has turned into an offensive weapon while maintaining the same strong defensive presence. Hall’s most noteworthy stat is his shooting. This season, he ranks second in the nation and leads the SEC in field goal percentage at 75% (51-68). In addition to offense, he ranks second in the SEC in blocks, with 2.8 per game. Hall’s presence down low on offense has been intensified this year. Some people may even refer to him as a young Kareem with how accurately he shoots the hook shot.  He has shown that the tools are there to be a successful big man in college and at the next level.

The last couple games have been a huge test. The Tide took on UCF and 7’6” Tacko Fall about a week ago. Hall was matched up with the monster in the game, and Fall ended the game with only 6 points, 1 rebound, and 1 block. In contrast, Hall scored a season high 20 points, going 9-9 from the field. Alabama then traveled to Tucson, Arizona, to take on Deandre Ayton and the Arizona Wildcats. This was Hall’s biggest test thus far. Standing at 7’1”, Ayton is a physical specimen who is ranked as the #3 NBA prospect, and alongside him is 7’0” Dusan Ristic. Hall spent time guarding both of these players and showed incredible competitiveness. The 6’9” forward finished the game with 15 points, 12 rebounds, and 1 block. Hall’s performance in the Arizona game may have landed his name on some team’s draft watch list.

With his improved offensive skillset, Donta Hall has all the tools necessary to compete with anyone in the country and should be on NBA team’s radars. You can’t find any mock draft with his name on it and that’s absurd. Because Collin Sexton brings so much attention to the program, Hall will hopefully get the recognition he deserves if he continues to perform this well. I believe Donta deserves a shot at the NBA, and if he gets a shot he will succeed. Whoever steals him will be very happy in the future. Take a look at what Hall brings to the table and keep an eye out for him this season: