Though she can’t yet play until after Oregon’s fall quarter next year, Purdue transfer Justine Hall enrolled last week and is now practicing with the women’s basketball team.
Hall, a 5-foot-10 guard, was Colorado’s Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior in high school. She appeared in 10 games this season for Purdue and posted her career-best of 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting against Incarnate World on Dec. 10.
She’s the newest addition to the Ducks’ roster and will wear No. 3 when she debuts next season. She sat down with the Emerald before Thursday’s women’s basketball practice.
I know you’ve only been here a week, but what kind of vibe have you gotten from the team?
They were so welcoming when I came, really everybody. When I first met them, they all welcomed me in. They’ve been so cool, just showing me around and helping me out; it’s been awesome.
Did it kind of exceed your expectations?
It definitely did. There’re some teams who wouldn’t bring you in as much, but as soon as I got here, everyone just embraced me. It made it so much easier.
I know you had a relationship with coach Kelly Graves in high school. What was that like?
When I was a freshman in high school, coach Graves was always like, “We want you here. We want you. I’m always recruiting you. You know that. I’ll take you any time.” So he had always been there telling me that I could always go where he’s coaching.
I understand that you visited campus as a high school student. Did that help you make your decision?
It was very quick. It was all very crazy, but when I came we got all the paperwork and everything done and I got to be a Duck.
Was it clear that Oregon was the choice for you out of Purdue?
I just kind of always knew that if I was to transfer… this was the place I wanted to go.
Understanding the talent that’s coming in the next 2016 recruiting class, does that make you more excited for the future?
I’m very excited for that. I know the class that’s coming in is going to be really good.
What kind of goals do you have for yourself while practicing but not playing?
Definitely just going hard every day. I want to get better, get stronger and also be able to help this team get better too.
I know this coaching staff is well-rounded. What do they all bring differently?
I definitely felt welcomed by them. As soon as I came, they all embraced me. All the coaches have different strengths and they all know what they want you to do. They’ll tell you what they want out of you; it’s so good.
I know you have some family that lives in Portland, how do you think that will change your college experience?
It’s going to make it so much better. Just knowing that I have family that’s not too far away.
Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne
Q&A: Oregon women’s basketball transfer Justine Hall discusses her transition
Jonathan Hawthorne
January 13, 2016
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