The Recruiting Guy

Hall to be third Hog commit in top 100?

Darious Hall

— Arkansas has two commitments in the 2017 class ranked in ESPN’s top 100 and there’s a strong argument for another being included on that list.

Eric “Cowboy” Robinson, the CEO and Coach of Team Magic Elite based in Memphis, has coached numerous top 100 prospects in his career and believes strongly that Razorback small forward commitment Darious Hall is among the best in the nation.

“I think Darious is a top 50 kid,” Robinson said. “He’s 6-6, 6-7 wing that can score, defend any position- one, two, three, four or five, if you have to switch. He has to keep working on his jump shot, but otherwise he’s an all-round basketball player. You can’t tell me there’s a 100 players better than Darious Hall. That’s my opinion on him right there.”

ESPN rates the two other commitments, El Dorado center Daniel Gafford the No. 10 center and No. 52 overall prospect and Little Rock Parkview guard Khalil Garland the No. 14 small forward and No. 61 overall prospect.

Hall, 6-6, 210 pounds of Little Rock Mills admits to thinking about being slighted.

“I think about it all the time,” Hall said. “I just go out on he floor and try and prove myself so they can see it.”

He has averaged 15.9 points and 8 rebounds a game in the Adidas Spring and Summer League. Hall is almost unstoppable driving to the basket and Robinson believes with some improvement on fundamentals, he can do the same in the SEC.

“It’s really scary,” Robinson said. “Arkansas got a real steal.”

Robinson has spoken with several members of the national media in charge of the rankings about Hall.

“They said they were going to watch him in Vegas,” Robinson said. “So we’re in Vegas, so I hope they see his skill set and what he brings to the game of basketball.”

Hall is excited about Arkansas’ recruiting class, but is hoping to add highly regarded Team Carroll power forward Garrison Brooks of LaFayette, (Ala.) Auburn to the class. The two went head -to-head on Thursday afternoon.

Brooks scored 25 points and had 12 rebounds in 75-69 victory while Hall had 13 points, 8 rebounds and 5 assists.

“That’s another big piece we need at Arkansas,” Hall said of Brooks.

The Arkansas coaching staff has been all over Las Vegas the first three days of the three major tournaments this week. Associate head coach Melvin Watkins watched Hall play Friday night.

“It motivates me,” Hall said. “They love me and they want me there and I’m going to be there.”