Jimmy Hall Declares for NBA Draft
4/21/2016 1:51:00 PM | Men's Basketball
KENT, Ohio— Kent State redshirt junior forward Jimmy Hall has declared for the 2016 NBA Draft but will not hire an agent in order to retain his NCAA eligibility for his 2016-17 senior season, the Brooklyn, N.Y. native on announced Thursday (April 21).
"Playing in the NBA has been a dream of mine since I was young, and I am grateful for Kent State giving me this opportunity to test the draft process," Hall said. "Since I will not be hiring an agent, I will be able to receive valuable feedback from teams while still having the option to play my senior season as a Golden Flash."
In January, NCAA officials adopted a proposal that provides student-athletes competing in men's basketball with a better opportunity to assess their likelihood of success in the NBA without jeopardizing their college eligibility. By declaring for the NBA Draft, Hall is able to start attending workouts scheduled by NBA teams and is eligible to compete in the NBA Draft Combine on May 10-15, if invited, in Chicago. The deadline for Hall to withdraw from the NBA Draft and return for his senior year is May 25.
"These new rules pertaining to the NBA Draft provide a great benefit for our student-athletes," said Kent State head coach Rob Senderoff. "I have had multiple conversations with Jimmy and his family about this process and am fully supportive of his decision. I think it is really smart for him to take advantage of the opportunity to receive feedback on where he stands in the eyes of NBA teams. He's not going to hire an agent, which keeps open his option of returning to Kent State to play his senior season and finish his degree. Jimmy is going to work incredibly hard through this process and hopefully put himself in position to make the NBA, if not this year, then next year."
A NABC All-District 14 First Team and All-Mid-American Conference First Team selection during the 2015-16 campaign, Hall led Kent State in scoring with 16.4 points per game (sixth in MAC), 7.9 rebounds per game (sixth in MAC), 212 field goals made (third in MAC), 2.9 offensive rebounds per game (third in MAC), 5.0 defensive rebounds per game (eighth in MAC) and 7 double-doubles (seventh in MAC). Hall also ranked second on the team with 94 free throws made, 134 free throw attempts, 74 assists and 17 blocked shots. He scored in double-figures in 30 of 32 games, including nine 20-point performances. He was named to the all-tournament team at Continental Tire Las Vegas Classic.
A two-time YP.com MAC East Division Player of the Week pick, Hall elevated his level of play during the conference season. He ranked among conference leaders with 17.9 points per game (fourth in MAC), 9.1 rebounds per game (third in MAC), a .493 field goal percentage (eighth in MAC), 3.3 offensive rebounds per game (second in MAC) and 5.7 defensive rebounds per game (seventh in MAC).
Hall has earned All-MAC First Team honors and led the Golden Flashes in scoring and rebounding in both of his seasons at Kent State. He became the 31st member of Kent State's 1,000-point club in the first round of the MAC Tournament against Bowling Green, but just the fourth player to reach the milestone after his first two seasons in the program. His average of 7.8 rebounds per game are tied for 10th on Kent State's all-time list.
The 2016 NBA Draft will be held on June 23 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The last Golden Flash taken in the NBA Draft was forward Trent Grooms, who was selected by the Kansas City Kings in the sixth round in 1980. Most recently, center John Edwards played two seasons in the NBA from 2004-06 with the Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Hawks.
