VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Virginia Beach native and professional basketball player Devon Hall wants to make sure all local kids can afford to play organized basketball and realize their dreams.
Hall, a former UVA standout who now plays professionally in Europe, said he will donate $30,000 over the next three years to support economically disadvantaged players at the new Wave Basketball Club at the Virginia Beach Sports Center.
Hall hopes the donation will help kids stay on the court, out of trouble and surrounded by positive mentors and opportunity.
“It means everything to me to be able to give back to the very same community that has supported me throughout my life,” said Hall, who added that playing sports helped Hall and his brother stay out of trouble while growing up.
“We put so much time into our sports and education that we had no time for outside distractions,” he said. “Basketball has given me a foundation for life as a whole. I want to be able to offer that to any kid that needs or wants the same.”
To support the effort, Hall has established his own scholarship fund -- The Long Hall Scholarship -- and will make the donation through PlayOn, a local non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that every person, young or old, is afforded the opportunity to stay active and to receive all of the benefits of sports, fitness, and recreation.
As a high school player, Hall starred at Cape Henry Collegiate in Virginia Beach and was named to the All-Virginia Independent Schools Athletic Association first-team all-state as a senior. He later played four years at the University of Virginia before being drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2018 NBA Draft. Today, he plays professionally in Europe for Germany’s Brose Bamberg.
Terrell Allen, who runs the Wave Basketball Club and played with Hall in high school at Cape Henry, said Hall’s generous donation will help ensure that the Wave Basketball is accessible to all local kids, no matter their age, ability or economic background.
“It’s a blessing to be able to offer this scholarship to kids who may not have the means to play basketball,” Allen said. “I’m forever grateful for Devon’s contribution, which will position the organization to impact so many kids in our community. I’ve known Devon since our days at Cape Henry, and he’s always not only been a great player on the court, but he is a great person that these kids will be able to look up to.”
Hall said he plans to run several camps and clinics in the area during his off season and will also offer mentoring services to young athletes.
Scholarship applications will be accepted throughout the year, with three award periods following the season’s schedules. Submissions are now being accepted for the Spring basketball season through April 1. For more information on the program’s parameters and guidelines, visit www.playon365.org/long-hall-scholarship.
ABOUT PLAY ON: The diverse team at PlayOn believes in the power of sport and feels that everyone has the right to enjoy the benefits of sports and recreation. The cost of participating in sports has continued to climb. The organization is dedicated to ensuring that every person, young or old, can stay active and receive all of the benefits of sports, fitness, and recreation. To date, the organization has given back more than $1.4M in regional communities. To learn more about PlayOn and how to get involved with the cause, visit www.playon365.org.
ABOUT THE WAVE BASKETBALL CLUB: The Wave Basketball Club is Hampton Roads’ new program designed to build character and develop a lifelong love for the game of basketball. Helping youth athletes grow both on and off the court, the organization and its participants rise together like a mighty wave, building dedication, commitment, teamwork, and sportsmanship. The program is open to boys and girls of all skill levels in grades 4 -11 and focuses on player development on and off the court. To learn more about The Wave Basketball Club, visit www.thewavebasketballclub.com.
