There are a LOT of famous people known as “Sugar Ray”, including a couple of boxing superstars named Leonard and Robinson, as well as a band from the 1990s that just wanted to fly. When it comes to basketball the moniker belongs to Ray Hall, who scored 2000+ PTS at Canisius before spending almost a decade playing in the pros. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Ray about his nifty nickname and being a great scorer. Today marks the 37th anniversary of Ray getting drafted by Utah on June 18, 1985, so we take this time to recall his remarkable achievements.
You were nicknamed “Sugar Ray”: how did you get the nickname, and how do you like it? That came all the way back from junior high school. I was a 6th grader playing on the 9th grade team: 1 of my teammates thought my moves were smooth as sugar, and it stuck. Now it is even part of my legal name!
At McKinley High School you were an All-American and a finalist for national high school POY (won by Patrick Ewing): did you feel like you were 1 of the best players in the country? No question about it. It was a great class with guys like Charles Barkley/Michael Jordan/Chris Mullin.
Why did you decide to go to Canisius? That is the million dollar question. Nobody thought that I would go there because everyone assumed I would go to a big-time school like Duke/UNC. However, I am a hometown boy who wanted to give back to the community and Canisius was the best centrally-located school. I liked Coach Nick Macarchuk’s enthusiasm and it was a great academic school so I wanted them to have more inner-city kids.
You were named ECAC ROY and became a 3-time 1st-team all-conference performer: how were you able to come in as a freshman and contribute right from the start, and how were you able to continue to dominate throughout the rest of your college career? The easiest answer is confidence: I have never been short of that. When you work on your craft and know what you are doing then you can be very successful without being arrogant. You cannot always depend on other people to support you: you must believe in yourself.
In 1984 you scored a school-record 37 PTS in a win over Mercyhurst: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? As I tell a lot of younger folks, we did not have the 3-PT line back then so at the time 37 was quite a bit. I think I had my 37 by halftime and did not even play in the 2nd half! I was pissed at my coach because I felt that I could have scored 70…but he got pissed at my selfishness and explained that it was time for my other teammates to play. I once scored 79 PTS in an all-star game and really thought that I could approach that but it was time for others to shine.
What are your memories of the 1985 NIT (you scored a team-high 16 PTS in a loss at Nebraska, who was led by Dave Hoppen with 21 PTS)? It was a home job like no other! Someone did their homework because 1 of our other good players and I both got into early foul trouble. We were supposed to play them in Buffalo but there was a circus downtown and we played well that year on the road so we agreed to go to Nebraska. The refs would not let us leave with a victory: I hate to say it but it is a sour memory.
You remain the leading scorer in school history: did you realize at the time how prolific a player you were, and do you think that anyone will ever break your record? You should have both team/personal goals. I think Bill O’Connor held the record before me: it had stood for many years so 1 of my goals was to break it pretty quickly if I could. On the flip side, I am disappointed that nobody has come in since then and broken my own record. Billy Baron played a couple of years ago and broke my senior single-season record but was only there for 2 years. It is bittersweet that they have not attracted more talent but they did very well a few years ago under Coach Reggie Witherspoon. Records are made to be broken.
In the summer of 1985 you were drafted in the 5th round by Utah: were you thrilled to realize your dream of getting drafted, or disappointed that you did not make the team, or other? As a young kid you look to be part of the elite so just being considered for the NBA was a blessing. The only reason I did not stick around was due to talent: the 1st year I was 1 of the final cuts due to an injury. The 2nd year I was MVP of the Summer Pro-Am League and was ready for the next level, but I did something dumb/foolish that kept me away from it.
You played 8 years of pro basketball in the CBA, the Philippines, and several other leagues: what did you learn from these experiences, and how did they compare to college basketball? I learned that the courts are the same length and the basket is the same height. If you have a joy for the game then you can have a very nice career in pro basketball. I certainly did not make millions but was smart with my money and have never had to struggle financially in retirement. It was exciting to be a pro and finally have a 3-PT line. Kids these days love to jack up threes but I liked to drive hard to the basket like Russell Westbrook.
When people look back on your career, how do you want to be remembered the most? Hopefully as a guy who did everything the right way. I was a student-athlete who was eligible to graduate in 3½ years. I did everything that was asked of me and never looked back. Like they say in the old commercial: I earned it. I had fun doing it and still have fun today!