Hornets Head Coach Charles Lee detailed Moussa Diabaté’s rapid growth into a versatile defensive anchor capable of guarding multiple positions. Lee also emphasized the team's depth and his "gut-feeling" approach to player rotations as the Hornets prepare for their final game of 2025. By DIAMOND VENCES| ROD BOONE
PJ Hall still can’t believe it.
Of all the pinch-me moments that have transpired during the journey up until now, this registers as a 10 and hardly anything else compares.
He’s actually a member of the Charlotte Hornets.
“Yeah, it 100% seems surreal,” Hall told The Charlotte Observer. “I’m getting goosebumps talking about it.”
Especially given the whirlwind the Clemson product and Spartanburg, S.C. native has been riding for the past month, a process that’s left him as grateful as ever.
See, Hall’s first appearance in the Hornets’ organization came in July, when he averaged 9.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 blocks and an assist in 13.7 minutes in five appearances during Charlotte’s 2025 run to the franchise’s first Las Vegas summer league championship. That eye-opening performance caught the attention of the Memphis Grizzlies, who signed Hall to a two-way contract .
Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody, left, Charlotte Hornets guard Lamelo Ball, center, Charlotte Hornets PJ Hall scramble for the ball at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, N.C., on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
In seven outings with Memphis, Hall posted 1.9 points and 1.3 rebounds before getting caught up in a numbers game.
“The day before I waived, we’re in Cleveland,” Hall said. “I was praying before I went to bed at night and I was like, ‘Hey, I was stressed about the situation, knew something could happen eventually in terms of not being there anymore.’ And then I was praying. I was like, ‘Hey, whatever you have in store for this, I’m giving it to you, Lord. And that’s it. Next day, I was waived. ... I was like, ‘That was very quick.’”
Three days later on Nov, 20, Hall’s G League player rights were acquired by the Greensboro Swarm. And he went to work right away, putting up 13.7 points — while shooting 60.7% — 9.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 blocks in 27.2 minutes per game in 11 appearances with the Swarm .
“I think a lot of stuff is circumstantial,” Hall said. “Whenever we get out there, you have to take every opportunity you can get. And sometimes if an opportunity doesn’t actually present itself, you just have to stay ready.... And then once some of the guys came back, it was like guards went down and they handled it great, though. I really enjoyed my time out there.”
The release from Memphis had zero to do with Hall’s production. Roster composition following an injury to fellow South Carolina native Ja Morant was more of the culprit.
“Tuomas (Iisalo, Memphis’ head coach) is great,” Hall said. “Their GM, Zach (Kleiman) was awesome. Whenever Ja went down in Cleveland, it was like, ‘Hey, our hands are tied. Zach (Edy) is back, we have enough bigs, we have to go sign some guards.’ And I completely understood.”
After his release, even though his agent had conversations with several teams, Hall chose to return to Greensboro for a fresh start.
PJ Hall of the Charlotte Hornets dribbles during the first quarter of the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Spectrum Center. Jared C. Tilton Getty Images
It didn’t take long for him to get his chance, either. He inked a two-way contract with the Hornets on Christmas Eve, called up thanks to the Hornets bevy of injuries on their frontline. Mason Plumlee’s right groin problem, which required surgery on Monday and will keep him sidelined for at least the next six weeks, leaves the door open for Hall to slide right into valuable rotation minutes.
He’s logged meaningful time in all three games, the latest coming in Wednesday’s loss to Golden State when he posted a career-best nine points to go with seven rebounds in 15 minutes, making 4 of 6 attempts including a ferocious right-handed dunk.
“Yeah, he’s just a smart player, competes at a high level, gets the playbook,” Kon Knueppel said. “He’s quick to pick everything up. Just a high energy guy that knows how to play and that gets you on the floor and he’ll be successful around it.”
Quickly, Hall has become a fan favorite. And it’s been that way since he inked his deal to return to the Carolinas and the announcement was made on social media.
“It’s awesome,” Hall said. “It’s really funny. You see stuff like that for quote-unquote bigger players not signing a two-way. I saw people quoting the Meek Mill song, ‘It’s like I used to pray for times like this.’ I was like, ‘All right, now.’ It’s really cool, man. Obviously, a lot of people from Clemson live in Charlotte. So, it’s cool just to have familiar faces all around the city.
“I grew up a Panthers fan, I grew up a Bobcats fan, grew up watching Al Jefferson and then Kemba (Walker) and he’s with the Hornets now. So, I mean, it’s been awesome and a great experience to be able to come back, have that full circle moment.”
Hall is zeroed in on bringing energy by lifting up others and making it easier for them to score with hard screens. Rebounding is also a strong suit. He’s still trying to get better at reading the pick-and-roll on defense and crafting his shot beyond the arc to help stretch the defense.
But he’s intent on continuing to prove he belongs in the NBA.
“Yeah, it’s crazy,” Hall said. “I think you kind of put it in perspective whenever you go back home — like home, home — and you talk to my boys and they’re like, ‘Yeah, dude, what’s it like seeing LeBron (James) and stuff?’ And I’m like, ‘I don’t really think much of it.’ But three years ago, I’d have been like, ‘Holy crap! It’s LeBron.’
“So, you kind of get desensitized to it. But when you take a step back and look at it like, wow, I’m at the pinnacle of basketball right now. Enjoy it while it’s here, keep working and make it last as long as possible.”