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PROVO — The NCAA’s signing period passed Wednesday with less anticipation and fanfare than normal, likely due in large measure to the COVID-19 pandemic that has brought high school and college sports to a crawl.
But for several local athletes, the day signaled a new beginning, the first day of the NCAA’s spring signing period that runs through Aug. 1.
One of them was Dallin Hall, the Fremont High star who led the Silverwolves to the Class 6A state championship after averaging 22.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 7.1 assists per game. The 6-foot-3 senior made official his earlier commitment to BYU, signing with second-year head coach Mark Pope before Hall gets set to serve a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Philippines.
“I’ve been recruiting Dallin for a long time and we’re very excited to get him to Provo,” Pope said in a statement from the university. “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.”
Hall is the third player in Pope’s recruiting class of 2020, joining former American Fork wing Spencer Johnson by way of Salt Lake Community College, and Wasatch Academy guard Richie Saunders, who will also serve a two-year mission to Madagascar prior to enrolling at BYU.
Another former local standout signed in Utah County, five miles away from Hall’s destination. Asa McCord, the 6-foot-6, 210-pound forward who starred at Westlake, signed with Utah Valley.
McCord averaged 11.5 points and 8.3 rebounds per game as a sophomore at Salt Lake Community College, helping the Bruins to a No. 4 national ranking, a region and district championship, and a berth in the NJCAA national tournament.
A 40.8% 3-point shooter, McCord tallied 92 assists and 56 steals for SLCC en route to All-Region 18 first-team honors.
“Asa is an excellent outside shooter and a rugged defender,” UVU second-year coach Mark Madsen said. “He is not afraid to embrace physicality at all levels and was one of the nation’s top rebounders at his position last season.
“Asa brings extreme toughness to the court and he brings high achievement to the classroom as he pursues a degree in exercise science. I am proud to welcome Asa and his family to UVU.”
Madsen also signed Le’Tre Darthard, a 6-foot-4, 180-pound wing who played one season at McCook Community College, averaging 18.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.2 seals and 1.0 assists per game. A native of Denton, Texas, the All-Region IX third-team honoree and Region IX all-tournament team selection will be immediately eligible in 2020-21.
“Le’Tre has defined himself by adding new aspects to his game each summer,” Madsen said. “He plays the game with ferocity and emotion. In addition to being an excellent basketball player, Le’Tre is an elite student who will be pursuing business coursework.”
See more transfers and signees in the updates below.