Auburn basketball fans have to be happy with how this season has gone. The Tigers have dominated much of the season, losing three of their five games in a tough stretch at the end of the season. They amassed an incredible 16 Q1 wins en route to finishing 2nd in the NET rankings. Questions remain about star Johni Broome‘s health after an elbow injury in the Elite Eight. However, they still are one of four teams in the Final Four, so they have as good a chance as any to win the national championship. On Wednesday, the Tigers got more good news. Keyshawn Hall, the UCF star who is one of the best forwards in the transfer portal, announced his decision to join Auburn next season. Who is Hall, and what does his commitment mean for the Tigers?
Star UCF Forward Keyshawn Hall Commits to Auburn Ahead of Final Four
What Hall Brings to the Tigers
He is an incredible player in multiple facets of the game, but Auburn recruited Hall for his elite scoring ability. As a sophomore, Hall averaged 16.6 points per game but improved that total to 18.8 points per game this past season. Hall also averaged 7.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. While he only shot 42.7% from the floor, he shot an impressive 35.3% from three. It’s always important to take efficiency with a grain of salt. UCF wasn’t loaded with national talent, so a lot of the attention fell to Hall. This often leads even the best players to take tougher shots more often. No matter how you look at it, Hall will bring elite scoring to a Tiger team that desperately needs it.
Auburn’s Old Roster
Auburn had an extremely old roster. They’ve turned this roster into a strong success, but they will need to replace most of their playing roster. Maybe some players on the bench can fill in, but they are losing a lot of proven production. Broome is a senior, likely headed to the NBA. Chad Baker-Mazara could have another year of eligibility, but most believe he will not take it. Miles Kelly and Denver Jones are also in their senior seasons and will be gone next season. In the age of super seniors, some may try for an extra year of eligibility. The only player in the top five in scoring is Tahaad Pettiford, who is a freshman. He isn’t a huge NBA prospect, but it wouldn’t be that surprising to see him enter the NBA draft. Hall provides the scoring for Auburn to begin to replace all the lost scoring production for this successful season.
Keyshawn Hall’s Commitment to Auburn Establishes a Future
It almost feels like the last dance for the Tigers. Several older and experienced players seek a championship before they move on to the next portions of their lives. They may fall short, but any team can win it once they reach the Final Four. However, Keyshawn Hall’s commitment to Auburn helps establish the Tigers’ willingness to look ahead. Auburn could win the championship, but they have a star waiting in the wings to take over next season and put them back into contention. Auburn’s focus will be on the court this weekend in San Antonio, but a star transfer committing to the program is always nice.
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