Granger Hall (basketball)

Granger Errol Hall (born June 18, 1962) is a retired American basketball player. A standout player at Temple University, Hall played in Spain's Liga ACB for 13 years for a variety of clubs and retired as that league's all-time leading rebounder.

College career

Hall grew up in Clayton, New Jersey and played for his hometown team at Clayton Middle/High School.^[1] He went on to Temple to play for coach Don Casey in the East Coast Conference. After playing sparingly as a freshman, Hall broke out as a sophomore in 1981–82, averaging 14.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game and sharing conference player of the year honors with American University's Mark Nickens.^[2]

In the offseason, Temple moved to the Atlantic 10 Conference and Casey was replaced by John Chaney. Hall appeared poised for another great year as a junior, averaging 20.6 points and 7.4 rebounds in the first five games of the year. However, he injured his knee in a game against William & Mary, had season-ending surgery and took a medical redshirt.^[3]

After a season of rehabilitation, Hall returned for the 1983–84 season and teamed with future NBA guard Terence Stansbury to lead the Owls to a 26-5 record and an undefeated Atlantic 10 season. Hall averaged 16.9 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. With Stansbury departing, the primary scoring load fell to Hall in his senior season. He filled this role admirably, averaging 18.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game.^[4] At the conclusion of the season, he was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Year, giving Hall the unusual distinction of being named player of the year in two different NCAA Division I conferences (the only other player to do this was Sedric Webber).

Granger Hall finished his Temple career as one of the most decorated Owls in men's basketball history. In addition to his two conference player of the year awards, Hall was a three-time honorable mention All-American, a three time first team All-Conference pick, and a three-time all Philadelphia Big 5 selection. He graduated as Temple's all-time leader in field goal percentage (since eclipsed), and free throw attempts. He was named to the Temple Athletic and Philadelphia Big 5 halls of fame.^[4]

Professional career

After graduation, Hall was selected in the fourth round (78th pick overall) of the 1985 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns.^[5] After failing to make the team, Hall signed with Fórum Filatélico of Spain's Liga ACB. This began a career in Spain that would last thirteen years as Hall played for Huesca La Magia, TDK Manresa, Caja San Fernando, CB Salamanca and CB Ciudad de Huelva.^[6] Hall retired in 1998 with career averages of 18.6 points and 9.9 rebounds per game. He ended his career as the leading rebounder in league history (4,292 total), and is also in the top 10 all time in total points (8,039), blocked shots (348) and minutes played (15,395).^[7]

References