CLEMSON – The PJ Hall of 2022-23 is enough on his own for the Clemson basketball, but it’s a new year with new challenges for the Tigers star. Last season, Hall averaged 15.3 points and 5.7 rebounds on 53.5% shooting en route to a third-team All-ACC selection.

Following his strong year, the NBA was an option but he’s back for another year with a strong supporting cast under head coach Brad Brownell. As a senior, Hall has taken a larger role as a leader and it’s key for this team which lost a vocal player in Hunter Tyson.

“Off the court, the leadership is big. He’s got a big personality. Emotional guy, I think he’s one of those guys that can rally the troops because he’s respected as a player and person,” Brownell said.

Clemson’s head coach went on to talk about the “gifted” offensive talents. Even at his 6-foot-10 size, he’s very mobile and it’s something that was on full display during the pre-draft process.

Don’t expect pull up three’s from Hall, because his bread and butter is down in the lane. That doesn’t mean he’s not capable of it and his versatility will be on full display.

More often than on offense, Brownell wants it to translate into defense. It’s imperative in this Tigers program that everyone is capable of playing man-to-man efficiently, and Hall can be a target in pick-and-roll plays. The hope is for that to change in his senior season, and the aforementioned mobility mixed with extra work can make that happen.

“Moving better than he’s ever moved which I think is significant for us just in terms of being able to play some different defensive coverages. Got stuck a little bit. He just hasn’t been as mobile in the last couple years and it’s kind of forced our hand in some of the pick and roll coverages with him but we’re asking him to do a little bit more and he’s responding in that way,” Brownell said.

Rebounding is an extra challenge Clemson is adding to Hall’s plate, and Brownell believes he’ll be a “major leader.” With the additions like Joseph Girard III and Jack Clark to the rotation, the Tigers star delivering his best season can make Clemson a real threat in the ACC.