Clemson senior aiming to become first Tiger to win the award
Clemson’s very own shining star, PJ Hall, aims to etch his name in history as the first Tiger to win the coveted award.
The Los Angeles Athletic Club set the basketball world abuzz on ESPN2 Wednesday when it announced that Clemson University’s star center, PJ Hall, had leaped onto the John R. Wooden Award Midseason Top 25 Watch List. This dynamic Spartanburg, S.C. native is now officially on the radar for the prestigious Wooden Award.
The Chosen 25: A Close-Knit Competition
Selected by a panel of national college basketball connoisseurs, the Midseason Top 25 Watch List brings together the most impressive performers of the 2023-24 season thus far. These 25 student-athletes aren’t just playing the game – they’re setting the pace and raising the bar, with Hall amongst them.
PJ Hall: A Force on the Court
Hall has been painting quite the picture on court this season, averaging 19.5 points per game, which places him second in the ACC scoring charts. He’s also snagged the 12th spot in rebounding, averaging 6.4 per game. His shooting stats are equally compelling, ranking fifth in the league with an impressive 54.5 percent.
Defensively, Hall isn’t just holding his own, he’s leading the pack! He tops the ACC and ranks 25th nationally in blocks per game, with a whopping 30 blocked shots this season.
Breaking Records and Making History
Hall, who was previously named to the Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 Watch List, has been on a scoring spree, extending his double-digit scoring streak to a remarkable 24 consecutive games dating back to last season. He’s one of just two players nationally averaging at least 19.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 2.0 blocks per game this year, sharing this honor with Purdue’s Zach Edey.
This season has seen Hall post two double-doubles, including a stellar performance against Pittsburgh where he netted 22 points and snagged 11 rebounds. In half of Clemson’s 14 games played this season, Hall has scored 20+ points, even hitting a career-high 29 points in a victory over Alcorn State.
What to look forward to
The 25 players named to the list are now front-runners for the 2024 John R. Wooden Award Men’s Player of the Year presented by Principal. However, the competition isn’t over yet. Players not chosen for the preseason or midseason list still have a shot at making it onto the Wooden Award National Ballot. This ballot will feature 15 top players who’ve proven they meet or exceed the qualifications of the Wooden Award.
As we approach the NCAA Tournament, nearly 1,000 voters will rank these 15 players. They’ll consider performances during early round games, leading to the announcement of the Wooden Award All-American Team during the “Elite Eight” round. The grand finale will see the winner of the 2024 John R. Wooden Award being presented by Principal following the NCAA Tournament in April.
So, as the season continues and the stakes get higher, all eyes are on PJ Hall. Can he continue his extraordinary run and become the first Tiger to win the acclaimed John R. Wooden Award? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear – PJ Hall is a player to watch, both now and in the future.
