Staying in-state: The newest Clemson Tiger
ROEBUCK, S.C. (BVM) — The Dorman High School Cavaliers claimed their fourth straight state championship this past season, handily beating Dutch Forks, 65-46. That was their 59th straight win against South Carolina teams, ending the season ranked the No. 2 team in the country. This earned them a bid to the GEICO National Tournament. Though their success came by playing as a team, a large part of it can be credited to PJ Hall.聽
Hall, the Cavaliers 6-foot-9 senior, was awarded the Gatorade South Carolina Boys Basketball Player of the Year award for his efforts in 2019-20. In the championship game, the Clemson Tiger commit posted 16 points and 12 rebounds; what seemed to become a nightly double-double. But what got him the attention of top scouts was his performance on the Adidas AAU Gauntlet.聽
As a member of the Upward Stars, based out of Spartanburg, Hall averaged 14.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. On one of the most challenging stages of prep level basketball, these numbers spoke volumes. He also finished the gauntlet with 59% shooting from the field and an eye-opening 56% from beyond the arc.聽
His abilities of strength and rebounding allow him to play the traditional role of a big man, but his capability of knocking down the deep ball, drawing defenders away from the rim is what really sets him apart. ESPN has him ranked as the 42nd best prospect in the Class of 2020, and No. 1 in the Palmetto State.聽
Now headed an hour west to Clemson, Hall will look to help the Tigers bounce back from an average season. They were 9-11 in ACC competition, and just 16-15 overall. Head coach Brad Brownell will be returning four forwards from last year鈥檚 roster, including all-ACC performer Aamir Simms. Hall, along with three other freshmen bigs, will have to earn his way onto the floor.聽
But aside from basketball, Gatorade Player of the Year honors recognize the athlete鈥檚 community output, and Hall had a lot to show in that regard. He has donated and volunteered with Samaritan鈥檚 Feet, a non-profit that provides shoes for underprivileged children. Additionally, Hall has served meals at the Spartanburg Soup Kitchen, and has exerted efforts with an elementary school literacy outreach program.聽
Academically, the Tigers鈥� team GPA will probably get a boost with Hall on the roster. He completed his high school career with a 3.94 GPA, nearly a perfect A-student.聽
Yet Hall isn鈥檛 the only member of his family with this remarkable type of resume. His sister, Thayer Hall, was a three-time Gatorade South Carolina Volleyball Player of the Year and went on to compete for the Florida Gators, where she is a rising junior.聽
For PJ, though, it’s his time to shine. He鈥檒l join the Tigers as the No. 3 prospect in school history, according to 247Sports. Now Hall awaits the Tigers 2020-21 schedule release to get a sense of what his first Division I competition will look like.
