Mercer Retires Langston Hall’s No. 21 Jersey
2/9/2019 5:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Langston Hall is school-record holder for assists, steals and three-pointers
MACON, Ga. – Langston Hall, one of the most decorated players in Mercer men's basketball history, had his No. 21 jersey retired Saturday afternoon during the Bears' game against The Citadel in Hawkins Arena.
The ceremony coincided with the university's recognition of the 2013-14 team that returned to campus over the weekend to be honored for its outstanding accomplishments five years ago.
"Langston is one of the best players I have ever had the pleasure of getting to coach," said head coach Bob Hoffman, who coached Hall throughout his standout career as a Bear. "From the first time I saw him, all the way through the magical games he performed in, he was always the same. Not only was he an outstanding performer in all phases of the game, he had the uncanny ability of elevating the play of his teammates and making everyone around him better. Relentless worker. Fantastic leader. And great encourager.
"Langston will forever be remembered for his leadership, his unselfishness and his championship-caliber play. He's a special player that is well-deserving of having his No. 21 jersey retired in Hawkins Arena. Thank you for all you've done to help make Mercer Basketball successful."
Hall starred for Mercer from 2010-14, leaving an everlasting mark on the Bears' program. Hall is the school's career leader in assists (633), steals (177) and three-pointers made (256). His 1,759 points rank eighth on the program's all-time scoring list. During Hall's four years as a Bear, Mercer experienced three of its most successful seasons; the Bears won a school record 27 games in 2011-12, 24 games and an Atlantic Sun regular season title in 2012-13 and tied the school record of 27 wins with both an A-Sun regular season and tournament championship in 2013-14.
Hall joined Mercer's program with little to no accolades on his resume following a prep career at Atlanta's Chamblee Charter High School. The standout would later appear in 138 career games with 137 starts for Mercer. He was the A-Sun Player of the Year in 2013-14 after leading the Bears to a 27-9 overall record and a sweep of the conference's regular season and tournament titles as well as a NCAA Tournament appearance. In the NCAA Tournament second round, Mercer, a No. 14 seed, pulled off a stunning upset by knocking off No. 3 seed Duke, 78-71, in Raleigh, N.C. The victory – which is arguably the biggest in the school's athletics history – garnered Mercer's program national attention.
Hall, who averaged 14.6 points, 5.6 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game in 2013-14, was the recipient of the Lou Henson Award, presented annually to the nation's most outstanding mid-major player in Division I competition.
Since graduating from Mercer, Hall has been playing professionally overseas in Italy and Greece for the last five years. Hall joins five other Mercer men's basketball players who have had their jerseys retired, including: Glenn Wilkes (No. 13, 1946-50); Tommy Mixon (No. 7, 1951-55); Sam Mitchell (No. 42, 1981-85); Eric Chambers (in memoriam) (No. 24, 1983-85); and Scott Emerson (No. 4, 1999-04).
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