Alabama Basketball: Donta Hall edging closer to NBA dream

Former Alabama basketball player, Donta Hall is steadily moving closer to achieving his NBA dreams with the Detroit Pistons.

Donta Hall was a fan favorite throughout his four seasons as an Alabama basketball player. His impressive leaping ability made him a shot-blocking machine. His explosive dunks brought shouts of joy from Alabama Crimson Tide fans.

It was easy to root for Donta. In addition to his athleticism, his exuberance and joy of competing with his teammates were obvious to all. Rumors of NBA scouts being interested in Donta began during his sophomore season. For a time there was some thought he might declare early for the NBA Draft.

Hall made the correct decision to stick with Alabama basketball in his senior season. In June, he was not chosen in the NBA Draft. The Detroit Pistons selected him for a Summer League team. Hall responded with solid play, though not spectacular numbers. His shooting success was a meager 38 percent.

Enough of Donta’s game impressed the Pistons they want to see more. The NBA team signed Hall to contract just days ago. Terms were not disclosed. It is unlikely the contract included a current bonus and no standard, undrafted rookie deals are guaranteed.

The next step for Hall is attending a mini-camp in Los Angeles. After that, he will follow a team regimen of training and workouts before NBA team camps begin in late September.

Pistons’ insiders give Hall little chance of making the Detroit 2019-20 roster. The team needs a backup center but Hall is a bit undersized for that role. To be an effective NBA center he needs to muscle up with another 20-25 pounds. Unfortunately, the Alabama basketball strength program did not benefit Donta as much as he needed.

Probably the best case for Hall is hanging on until the Pistons begin camp. If, as expected, he gets cut during camp, getting assigned to the Pistons’ G-league team in Grand Rapids would be a good result. A G-League contract pays less than $80K for a season, but Hall could earn up to a $50K bonus by going the G-League route. it is also a good place to develop his body and his game in hope of future NBA roster opportunities.

Hall is from the small town of Luverne, AL. he and his mother are well known and well liked in Luverne. Tragically, Donta lost his father too soon. Shortly after watching his son play in a middle school game,  Donald Hall collapsed with a heart attack. He died in the bleachers. Donta was 13 years old. His father was only 45.

A big reason why Donta chose Alabama basketball was his father. Donald Hall was a longtime Crimson Tide fan.