George and Hall sign with BYU

PROVO, Utah – BYU men’s basketball coach Mark Pope announced today that Gideon George and Dallin Hall have signed National Letters of Intent to play for the Cougars. BYU’s 2019-20 recruiting class also includes Spencer Johnson and Richie Saunders, who signed in November 2019.

George, a 6-foot-6 forward from Minna, Nigeria, played the last two seasons at New Mexico Junior College for coach Luke Adams. As a sophomore in 2019-20, George was named to the 2019-20 NJCAA All-Region V Team and the All-Western Junior College Athletic Conference Team while helping the Thunderbirds to a record of 23-9 overall and 12-4 in conference play. 

For the season, George averaged 14.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 50.8 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from 3-point range. He was dominant on the offensive glass, averaging 3.0 offensive rebounds per game.

“Gideon is one of the most genuine, sincere, dedicated, hardworking athletes that I’ve ever had the opportunity to recruit,” Pope said. “Growing up in Nigeria, he learned a work ethic and lives with a level of gratitude that is inspiring. He is an extraordinarily gifted athlete, a great teammate and we have high expectations for his growth and what he’ll contribute here at BYU. He’s going to be a fan favorite.”

As a freshman in 2018-19, George was named the WJCAC Freshman of the Year while earning all-region and all-conference honors. He averaged 10.9 points, 8.2 rebounds (2.9 offensive boards) and 1.1 steals while shooting 59.9 percent from the field and helped New Mexico JC to a 21-10 record.

A 6-foot-4 guard from Ogden, Utah, Hall enjoyed a decorated career playing for Corey Melaney at Fremont High School. A two-time first-team all-state honoree, Hall was named Mr. Basketball by the Deseret News and was the Utah Gatorade Player of the Year in 2019-20. He averaged 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.1 assists and 2.0 steals his senior year while leading Fremont to the 2019-20 6A state title. Hall finished the season second in 6A in scoring, second in assists, seventh in rebounds and first in 3-point field goals.

“I’ve been recruiting Dallin for a long time and we’re very excited to get him to Provo,” Pope said. “He captured the attention of basketball fans throughout the state, including Donovan Mitchell, with his incredible state title run this year. 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.”

As a junior in 2018-19, Hall averaged 21.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.2 steals while leading Fremont to a record of 19-6 overall and a trip to the semifinals of the 6A state tournament. A first-team all-state honoree as a junior, Hall finished the 2018-19 season second in 6A in scoring, sixth in assists and third in 3-point field goals.

In three seasons at Fremont, Hall totaled 1,536 points, 475 rebounds, 440 assists, 107 steals and 206 3-point field goals. He owns the Fremont record for points in a single game with 43. Hall plans to serve a mission The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines with a tentative departure date of June 24. Following his mission, he will enroll at BYU for the 2022-23 season.

Spencer Johnson and Richie Saunders signed with BYU in November 2019. Johnson will join the Cougars for the 2020-21 season while Saunders is planning to serve a mission before enrolling in 2022-23.

Johnson played his redshirt freshman season for Salt Lake Community College in 2019-20 and averaged 13.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals while shooting 49.0 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from 3-point range. He earned All-Region 18 Second Team honors while helping SLCC to a record of 29-4 and the No. 4 overall seed in the NJCAA National Tournament.

Saunders helped Wasatch Academy to a 26-2 record while averaging 13.3 points and 4.7 rebounds. He hit 74 3-point field goals and had season highs of 27 points, 12 rebounds and six 3-point field goals. Wasatch Academy plays a schedule that includes some of the top high school teams from across the country.

Click here for more on Johnson and Saunders.

Gideon George
6-6, Forward
Minna, Nigeria/New Mexico Junior College

• Played two seasons for coach at New Mexico Junior College
• Named to the 2019-20 NJCAA Region V All-Region Team and the All-Western Junior College Athletic Conference Team
• As a sophomore in 2019-20 averaged 14.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.5 steals while shooting 50.8 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from 3-point range
• Averaged 3.0 offensive rebounds per game as a sophomore
• Posted season highs of 27 points, 18 rebounds, 4 steals and 5 blocks
• Helped New Mexico Junior College to a record of 23-9 overall and 12-4 in WJCAC play
• As a freshman in 2018-19 averaged 10.9 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.1 steals while shooting 59.9 percent from the field
• Averaged 2.9 offensive rebounds per game in 2018-19
• Posted season highs of 21 points, 16 rebounds and 4 blocks
• Named to the 2018-19 NJCAA All-Region V Team and the All-Western Junior College Athletic Conference Team
• Was named the WJCAC Freshman of the Year in 2018-19
• Helped New Mexico Junior College to a record of 21-10 overall and 10-6 in WJCAC play
• With his brother Samson (who played at Pittsburgh from 2017-20), sent more than 100 pairs of shoes to their hometown of Minna, Nigeria, through the organization Time Out 4 Africa Foundation

Dallin Hall
6-4, 185, Guard
Ogden, Utah/Fremont HS

• A three-year letterwinner for Corey Melaney at Fremont High School
• For his high school career totaled 1,536 points, 475 rebounds, 440 assists, 107 steals and 206 3-point field goals
• As a senior in 2019-20 was named Deseret News Mr. Basketball, Gatorade Player of the Year, first-team all-state by the Deseret News
• Averaged 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 7.1 assists, 2.0 steals and made 79 3-pointers while leading Fremont to a record of 23-3, 11-3 and the 6A Utah state title
• Among 6A players was second in scoring, first in 3-point field goals, seventh in rebounds and second in assists
• Set the Fremont record for points in a game with 43 vs. Bingham on Dec. 14, 2019 and scored 42 at Layton later in the season on Feb. 13, 2019
• As a junior in 2018-19 earned first-team all-state honors from the Deseret News
• Averaged 21.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.2 steals and made 79 3-pointers while leading Fremont to a record of 19-6, 11-1 (first in Region 1) and a trip to the 6A state semifinals
• Was second in 6A in scoring, third in 3-point field goals and sixth in assists
• As a sophomore in 2017-18 averaged 16.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.3 assists and 1.1 steals and made 48 3-pointers while helping Fremont to a record of 18-6, 9-3 (first in Region 1)
• Is planning to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines with a tentative departure date of June 24