Centre joins Copper Box outfit

London Lions have added further inside presence to their roster with the addition of seven foot tall centre Derek Hall.

A graduate of NCAA Division Three Albright College, where Hall won his Conference and was named All Conference, he will play as a European despite representing the USA in the William Jones Cup thanks to his Hungarian parentage.

Averaging 16 points and 10 rebounds for Albright, the 26-year-old Hall is a versatile big man with great passing ability, inside moves and a hunger for rebounds.

Standing 6ft 9in tall in high school, the Pennsylvania native grew another three inches in college and weighs 246Ibs.

Hall will team up inside with big man Rashad Hassan in his first season with the Lions.

Following graduation, the affable Hall played two years in the top league in Hungary and averaged 10 points and six rebounds per outing, most recently with Falco KC in the 2014-15 season.

A short spell ensued in Canada which was ended mutually by club and player and Hall said: “I’m very excited to play in London this season. I’ve heard nothing but great things about the city and organization.

“I can’t wait to arrive and do what I can to help bring this team a championship.

“London resigned some key players from last season and the other players all have a lot of professional experience which will benefit the team throughout the season. We’ll have a tall, athletic team so that should make for an exciting year.”

Lions head coach Nigel Lloyd was glad to add Hall to the side, adding: “Pairing Derek with Rashad will be an intriguing prospect. We know Rashad is an elite performer in our League but Hall brings something not seen here in a while.

“He has a high basketball IQ, loves to rebound and a sweet touch around the basket, he is a legitimate seven footer, but mobile with it and his soft hands allow him to go out to the three-point line, it will be fun.”

Hall will join his team mates in September ahead of their pre season tour of Poland.

Tickets to Lions home games have now gone on sale and are available at londonlionsbasketball.co.uk or ticketmaster.co.uk.