Donta Hall, is he the next Bama Mr. Basketball?

[Jamos]

As you watch the big man lumber around the court in his usual slow paced walk during the shoot arounds before their games, you have to wonder just how good of a player can he really become. He looks a little awkward as he walks around with his head looking downward and cutting his eyes from side to side to those around him with an occasional smile to some, but you have to wonder just what he is thinking and then with a burst of speed and agility he slam dunks another basketball.

This is Donta Hall, a 6'9" player from a small town in southern Alabama called Luverne. Some folks have heard of Luverne but most folks can't tell you where it is and it is the same with Donta, most fans know his name now but not many knew of him before coming to Alabama. I attended the first practice in the fall of last year and he immediately caught my eye with his enthusiasm on the court. He didn't act like a freshman as far as being bashful and waiting for coaches to tell him what to do. I told my wife then that this young man has the potential to be something special for the team but let's see how he handles it in the days ahead.

The season started with him not getting much playing time and I expected that because playing for a small school in high school and playing in division one basketball is quite contrasting and he would have to work himself into a playing slot. If there was one thing that I thought he needed was a lot of work on his defensive skills. He likes to grab with his hands rather than using his feet to position himself to defend and he then gets some quick silly fouls that limits his playing time. He has improved some with that but he still has a ways to go. The one thing that he does really well is shot blocking. He has really come on strong with his shot blocking abilities which has made teams alter their game plans more than once. He and Taylor have really been a force the second half of the season. Another improvement in his game has been his offensive game. He has shown better hands than either Taylor and Kessens and has given team the inside weapon that has been needed for so long. Taylor has improved some and Kessens still plays really passive and neither has stepped up to become the big man that Bama needs. He doesn't dribble the ball well just yet but that should improve with good coaching and time.

Yesterday, I think Donta made a big statement as to who the big man will be for Alabama basketball in the future. He played with so much energy and had the crowd on their feet with more noise in Coleman than I have heard in years. This is what this basketball team has needed, players that can get the fans out of their seats. Don't get me wrong, I'm not taking anything away from Obasohan, he has been a God send for this team with his play but he is a senior and and will be gone next year. Bama will need a fan motivator for next year's team and there are new high profile players coming on the team with great potential but I think Donta can be the player that everybody wants to see with his powerful brand of basketball. He needs to have a good off season to improve his footwork and defensive skills but he has promise of being a true team leader, something that all good teams must have.

[pmull]

Donta can be a very good player for us but he has to learn how to stay out of foul trouble. He fouled out yesterday in only 16 minutes of play. His 16 minutes were huge both offensively and defensively.

CAJ brought Donta to his press conference yesterday for the first time after the Auburn game. He praised the young big guy for his aggressive defense and blocked shots. He said Donta's defense and his dunks got the team and fans fired up. CAJ always brings two players to press conferences. He also brought Kessens yesterday. He spoke of Kessens two big dunks late in the game. He said the first windmill dunk got the fans up for the rest of the game. Kessens only scored 7 points but CAJ said it seemed more like 12 due to the energy it put in the team.

If CAJ could have brought a third player it would have been Arthur Edwards. He said Edwards hit 3's at critical moments and his steal that turned into a layup dunk with 5:00 to go was huge. He said the team would not be where it is today without Edwards.

[ricky023]

To sit here and read the reports of men who have actually seen this play in person sounds so tantalizing. It makes me want to jump up and down with joy. I remember how the crowd in our little gym use to scream when i could launch one from downtown and have string music. The thing was I had to turn that away quickly and return on defense, make sure of being in the right place and as you said with footwork. I feel from all of your posts we have a future now and the more talent that comes in with CAJ we will challenge a good Kentucky team for the SEC. Someday, someway it will happen. When, I don't know but it is in the future. RTR!

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