Utah’s Gatorade Player of the Year will suit up for BYU following a two-year mission
PLAIN CITY, Utah (BVM) – Corey Melaney has never been around a talent like Dallin Hall.
“He doesn’t have a weakness,” the Fremont High School head boys basketball coach said of his star guard.
The 6-foot-4 Hall led the Silverwolves to the Class 6A state championship while averaging 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.1 assists. The senior did whatever he wanted on the court, earning Gatorade Utah Boys Basketball Player of the Year, but Melaney said it was Hall doing what the team needed him to do that set him apart.
Melaney can think of plenty examples to illustrate Hall’s unselfishness, but a pair of games during the Silverwolves’ state title run paint the perfect picture.
In the state quarterfinal game, which Fremont won, 77-54, Hall scored just five points on four shot attempts. The very next game, Hall reminded the state why he’s the seventh-ranked player in Utah and dropped 38 points to clinch a state finals berth.
“For him to be one of the top scorers in the state and say ‘Hey, I’m only going to shoot four times because they’re doubling me and running at me’ tells you a lot,” Melaney said. “Most kids up 20 or 25 will jack up a couple shots because they can, but he never did that.”
Hall followed up the aforementioned pair of games with a state championship effort that earned the recognition of an NBA All-Star. Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell attended the High School Basketball State Championship games and watched Hall and the Silverwolves claim a state title.
Shoutout #30 on Fremont!!! Hooper!!!
— Donovan Mitchell (@spidadmitchell) March 1, 2020
Despite an impressive prep career and a shoutout from Mitchell, Hall hasn’t exactly had Power 5 programs banging at his door. The senior received offers from Utah, Utah State, Oregon State and others, but Melaney believes other schools might have been turned off by Hall’s plans away from the court.
As part of his faith, Hall plans to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines. With a tentative departure date of June 24, Hall won’t play competitive basketball for his college choice until the 2022-23 season.
“I think some schools were like ‘Eh, never mind (upon hearing of Hall’s mission),’” Melaney said.
Nevertheless, Hall has found the right fit for him and a school that supports his beliefs instate. The first team all-state selection officially signed his letter of intent in April to play basketball at Brigham Young University.
In a press release announcing Hall’s signing, BYU head coach Mark Pope said his staff has recruited the Fremont star for a long time.
“He captured the attention of basketball fans throughout the state, including Donovan Mitchell, with his incredible state title run this year,” Pope said in a statement. “His vision, off ball screens and ability to read changing defenses are at an elite level already. He’s a great competitor and a physically imposing offensive player who can really score the ball. Cougar fans will be so impressed with Dallin’s leadership and Hollywood-caliber charisma.”
Melaney said Hall had a great connection with Pope’s staff at BYU and doesn’t believe the senior’s decision was impacted by mission plans. Even after two years away from the game, Melaney said he’s confident Hall will have a similar impact on the Cougars as he did at Fremont.
“I think he’ll have a huge impact (at BYU),” Melaney said. “Many kids have done it (missions) and been very successful on that BYU roster as well as throughout the country.
