OKC Thunder rookie Devon Hall returns from Australia to sign a contract with OKC Blue where he will finish the season.
This season OKC Thunder fans have witnessed glimpses of potential from rookie Hamidou Diallo. Winning the recent slam dunk competition showcased his assets and at times his energy has led to great things on the varsity squad.
But, remember the Thunder actually drafted three rookies? Much of the reason Devon Hall hasn’t been on our minds is that he was overseas.
That situation changes this week as Hall returned to Oklahoma City and will lace up his sneakers to play with the OKC Blue.
Oklahoma City Thunder draft prospect Devon Hall has signed a G League contract league sources tell @2Ways10Days
— Jawnzun (@jawnzun) February 25, 2019
Hall was selected 53rd overall in the 2018 NBA Draft.
Hall returns from playing in Australia with the Cairns Taipans squad. This team is part of the National Basketball League in Australia. Hall is the third player from the OKC Thunder system who has taken the NBL of Australia route. Previous Thunder players who spent time in the NBL are Terrance Ferguson (Adelaide 36ers) and Semaj Christon.
While there Hall started in 19 games making 28 appearances. His season averages were 9.2 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.5 assists in 28.9 minutes per game.
His shooting splits were 36 percent from the field (on nine attempts per game), 34 percent from the perimeter (on 4.5 attempts per game) and 75 percent from the charity stripe (on 1.5 attempts per game). In addition, he registered 0.7 steals per game, 0.2 blocks per game and 1.2 turnovers.
Clearly, the same issues which Hall had in Summer League remain as his shooting percentages are still well below the necessary levels the varsity team requires.
At 23, Hall is an older prospect so there is still uncertainty about what the OKC Thunder plan to do with him. The most likely scenario is Hall will be assigned homework on areas to improve in the offseason and will play in the Summer League. But, unless he can become a reliable shooter particularly from deep the existing talents of Abdel Nader, Hamidou Diallo, and even G-League player Deonte Burton likely rank ahead of Hall.