Jimmal Ball (2015) - Hall of Fame - University of Akron Athletics

Jimmal Ball

Induction:
2015
Class:
2015

1997-2000
Guard

A quick study, Jimmal Ball burst on the UA basketball court in 1996-97 by pacing the Zips in scoring with 444 points for a 17.1 average. Included during that sensational season was a career high 44-point effort versus 17th-ranked Xavier that established Rhodes Arena and an Akron freshman records.

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The 5-10 guard from Canton Timken High School also was among Mid-American Conference leaders in three-point goals (59), assists (89), and steals (58) which earned him UA’s MVP Award, second-team All-MAC honors and the Conference’s Freshman of the Year Award by unanimous vote.

Additionally, Ball was chosen on the All-American Freshman teams of College Hoops Insider, Basketball Weekly, and Basketball Times.

As a sophomore, Ball accepted a bigger role as a playmaker, and his scoring average slipped to 14.7 points a game, second on the team but, he gained honorable mention All-MAC honors as UA capture the East Division title with a 13-5 record.

As a junior, Ball again finished second in scoring with a 14.2 average to again earn second-team All-MAC accolades as UA compiled an 18-9 record.

As a senior, Ball made it on the All-MAC team for the fourth consecutive year with honorable mention honors after leading the Zips with career highs of 115 assists and 72 steals, as well as a 13.1 scoring average, helping UA compile a 17-11 winning campaign.

Under the guidance of head coach Dan Hipsher, Ball finished his 107-game career, a starter in all but one, sixth on the UA all-time scoring list with 1,577 points, on top of the career steals list with 242 steals, and second on the career assists list with 391.

Since he left campus in 2000, Ball has been busy.

“I had the opportunity to play professional basketball in Europe,” he said. “I spent 12 years in France, one year in Germany, and one year in Kosovo. After retiring in 2014, I came back to finish my degree.”

Ball received his degree from UA in French in 2015 while interning with Athletics Development and the Varsity “A”. Now he works fulltime on campus as a success coach for incoming freshmen.

“This is a great honor,” Ball added. “For a basketball career, this is like a lifetime achievement award. I’m really honored just because Akron means so much to me. For them to recognize me like this is very touching and very humbling. I’m really excited because eight or nine of the guys are coming to the banquet. It brings back memories. and it’s really exciting to see them and share this moment with them, because without them, there was no me.”