Rated the nation’s No. 10 center prospect and the No. 62 prospect overall, Hall committed to Tennessee during a visit to see the Vols’ play Kentucky. He had already become comfortable with the idea of committing to Tennessee after a visit to Knoxville in October before later visits to Clemson, Alabama and Duke.
Sunday’s visit reinforced those feelings and gave him a firsthand look at the Vols in action and the game day atmosphere at Thompson Boling Arena. He also had offers from Georgia and Wake Forest as well as serious interest from USC, Georgia Tech, Kentucky and Florida.
The 6-foot-9, 215-pound talent is generally regarded as the best basketball prospect in the state of Georgia, and he gives UT a big man who can run the floor and has the potential to become a point producer in the post. Hall averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds per game as a junior for Redan High School.
"Tennessee’s doing a great job (recruiting),” Georgia Stars AAU coach Norm Parker told Scout.com’s Dave Telep. “Pearl is doing a great job and Pearl’s got a lot of electricity going right now.
“He was kind of leaning to Tennessee,” Parker continued. “He had a good visit or two. He went to Clemson, Alabama and several schools. He went to Duke and had a great visit and when (Mason Plumlee) made an announcement he knew Tennessee was the place.”
Parker believes the Vols picked up a fine fit for their up tempo system, and a prospect with excellent upside.
“He can be very good,” Parker said of Hall. “He’s very long, very athletic; still a little bit raw. He’s got to continue to work hard on his offensive game but he’s very talented and very athletic.”
Hall, who is looking for early playing time, should factor into the rotation as a true freshman. His quickness and length will be an asset on defense and his ability to knock down the mid-range jumper will add a much needed element to the offense.
Hall is the highest rated center prospect the Vols have committed since Major Wingate in 2003. Wingate also played high school ball in Georgia.