CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. – The Island Storm is getting its big man.
Carl Hall is reporting to the team after being acquired in a trade with the Niagara River Lions in the final minutes of the National Basketball League of Canada trade deadline on Feb. 19. Niagara received Torrence Dyck Jr. in return.
“There were some things contractually that he wanted to iron out,” Storm head coach Tim Kendrick said, declining to be more specific. “There was no ill will on either side.”
The bench boss admitted it has been tough process, but he is excited to have the six-foot-eight, 255-pound forward on board. Hall is averaging 14.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game while shooting 60.7 per cent from the field and 75.6 per cent from the free-throw line.
“We haven’t had that kind of a presence,” Kendrick said. “He brings a real low-post threat offensively. He’s got a very good touch around the basket.”
The Georgia native, who turns 29 later this month, played two seasons at Wichita State and is expected to arrive Wednesday and be in the lineup Thursday in Saint John, N.B., against the Riptide.
“We think he’s going to be a guy that can space the floor for us,” Kendrick said.
The bench boss said he could envision the team playing a big lineup at times with Hall, Jarion Henry and Du’Vaughn Maxwell along the front line and even Maxwell playing some time as a guard. Kendrick said when he looked around the Atlantic Division and thought his team needed more size to compete in the playoffs.
“That's why we tried to get a big,” he said.
Getting Hall finalizes the team’s roster for the rest of the season.
Storm guard Franklin Session was named the Atlantic Division player of the week after averaging 28 points, 11 rebounds and 7.5 assists per game. Halifax Hurricanes Mike Leslie, a former Storm assistant coach, was named the coach of the month for February.
Final roster
A look at the Island Storm roster for the rest of the season.
Guards
Franklin Session
Chris Johnson*
Tyler Scott*
Kemy Osse*
Roshun Whynne Jr.
Forward
Du’Vaughn Maxwell
Carl Hall
Chris Anderson
Brad States*
Trenity Burdine
Centre
Jarion Henry
Meshack Lufile
* Canadians
