Hofstra signs NJ forward Jimmy Hall

Mo Cassara is a forward thinker. The Hofstra basketball coach wants to improve the team's frontcourt, and the program took a big step in that direction Wednesday as Jimmy Hall, a 6-7 power forward from St. Anthony High School in Jersey City, signed a national letter of intent to join the Pride next season.

Hall plays on coach Bob Hurley's perennial powerhouse at St. Anthony. He filled a reserve role on last season's undefeated team, which was ranked No. 1 in the country in a poll by USA Today. Hall was also recruited by Temple, George Washington and Penn State.

He is eager to begin his collegiate career. "It's a nice school, it's a great family environment," he said. "There's not a lot of frontcourt guys like me that can score the basketball and do the things I can. For a good team, you need somebody who can rebound [and] if they see you on the post, you can score."

Cassara said it is imperative to have capable big men to win in the Colonial Athletic Association.

"We need to continue to develop a strong frontcourt and we really believe that Jimmy Hall is going to be a really dynamic player for us on the offensive and defensive end," he said. "We're excited about his ability to rebound, but also his skill in the frontcourt. I think he's going to have an opportunity to play right away. We still lack depth in our frontcourt, and I think certainly he's going to have an opportunity to step in and contribute. Moving forward, we see him as a very big piece of what Hofstra basketball is going to be in the future."

Hofstra signed another New Jersey high school standout in 6-1 guard Dallas Anglin of Seton Hall Prep. He averaged 14.7 points and 2.6 assists last season.

"He's a dynamic backcourt player," Cassara said. "Really, he can play a couple of different positions. He's a terrific athlete, has great speed and quickness with the ball and has the ability to score."

Cassara said Hofstra still has two more scholarships to be awarded for next season.