Former Kent State men’s basketball forward Jimmy Hall recently signed with a professional basketball team in France: Saint Thomas Basket Le Havre.

The team announced on Monday, June 19, Jimmy Hall will join the team. At the time of the NBA Draft on June 22, it was unknown what teams had an interest in Hall, and he went undrafted in the NBA Draft.

The city of Le Havre is located in the Normandy region of northwestern France. 

Saint Thomas Basket Le Havre, founded in 1924, plays in the Pro B Division of the Ligue Nationale de Basket (LNB). STB Le Havre is lead by coach Eric Bartecheky.

LNB is a men’s professional club basketball in France. There are only two division’s in LNB: the first-tier LNB-Pro A (first division) and the second tier-Pro B (second division).

Kent State men’s basketball guard Jaylin Walker had some thoughts about his former teammate and what Hall will bring to STB Le Havre.

“(Hall is) going to bring a high level motor. He can bring a guarantee bucket inside the paint around,” Walker said. “(He’s) gonna bring a defensive presence with his rebounding ability and a great personality, and a guy that’s gonna play hard every minute.”

Former Kent State point guard Jon Fleming also talked about what Hall will bring to the court for Le Havre — the skills he brought to Kent State for three years. 

“He’s the ultimate competitor and loves the game,” Fleming said. “He has a unique skill set of great touch and footwork along with a knack for hitting big shots and pulling in rebounds. I tell people all the time no matter where Jimmy Hall ends up he will be good. That’s what great players do.”

The last impacting thing Hall brought to Kent State was his “presence on the court,” Walker said.

Fleming also talked about Hall’s impact on Kent State.

“As far as basketball, it’s hard to find someone better that put on a Kent State uniform,” Fleming said. “He pretty much rewrote a lot of the history books and most importantly lead us back to the tournament by putting up incredible numbers four straight games in the MAC (tournament).”

Fleming said he hopes to one day see Hall’s jersey hang in the rafters at Kent State, not only for how he played on the court but for the kind of person he is off the court. 

“He’s humble and just one of the most enjoyable people to be around. In all the conversations we’ve had in our four years not one was about how good he is, only about how he can improve,” Fleming said. “Kent State is truly lucky to have had Jimmy Hall represent this university for the last four years.”

Saint Thomas Basket Le Havre season starts in mid-October.

Simon Hannig is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].