FAYETTEVILLE — It was a healthier, new-look Darious Hall that made his way to Fayetteville for the AAO High School Boys Basketball Combine on Saturday.
Hall (6-7, 210), a Little Rock Mills standout and one of Arkansas’ trio of 2017 pledges, has traded his dreadlocks in for a clean, short look.
“Nobody knew it was me for awhile until they took a really good look,” Hall said. “I like it. It feels better. It was getting hot and I had a deal with my brother, but he didn’t hold up his end.”
Hall played through the summer AAU with some sore ankles, but rest has gotten him back healthy.
“I feel better,” Hall said. “My ankles are like 100 percent better. I am 100 percent now and it has helped me get my shot back.”
Hall joins Little Rock Parkview guard Khalil Garland (6-6, 190) - who was also on hand for the combine - and El Dorado center Daniel Gafford (6-11, 223) as seniors committed to the Razorbacks.
He’s also fired up about Arkansas’ five pledges in the 2018 and 2019 class - all with Arkansas ties.
“We are fixing to blow off the roof,” Hall said. “It is a blessing that all of them want to stay home. We all have a lot of state pride, want to be with the Razorbacks and are committed totally to the Razorbacks.”
Hall thinks Mills has a chance to win it all this season.
“We have all five of our starters coming back and we all have gotten better over the summer,” Hall said. “I think we should have a great chance to take it all this year.”