Aggie recruit Klay Stall overcoming injury, anxious to get back on court

CHANDLER, Ariz. – For three years Klay Stall had been one of the central basketball players for his high school team, the Basha Bears. The 6-foot-9 power forward was looking forward to taking over his team for his senior season. While at a San Diego State basketball camp he missed a dunk, but was able to pick up his own rebound and attempt a shot. In the process his knee buckled under his 225 pound body, tearing his ACL, MCL and meniscus.

Stall said the recovery has been tough stretch, but he’s “getting along.” It changed his role on this year’s team. He has gone from star player to supporting his team from the bench.

“It’s difficult, but my teammates are doing good this year so I’m more of the moral support behind everything,” he said. “It’s been fun. It’s kind of tough on me so I’m starting to get a little antsy now.”

The injury, while difficult, helped lead Stall to choose Utah State as the place he’ll play his college ball. He said every school recruiting him was still with him after the injury, but USU showed the most loyalty.

“The (USU) coaches would call me, text me, ask how I was doing,” he said. “(Head coach Tim Duryea) was the first one to call me when I told him I was hurt, he was checking up on me telling me they were still 100 percent invested in me. So that’s what really stuck out to me, more of the family feel of the program, that’s what I liked.”

The “family feel” is something Stall has enjoyed with current team. He saw something with Duryea that reminded him of his high school coach.

“He’s a cool guy, he’s real down to earth, he’s real personable,” Stall said. “I can see myself enjoying the next four to five years with him. He’d almost be like a second father to me, which is something big. My coach in high school I have is kind of like that. He’s really why I am what I am today, is because of him, so just someone to keep my head on straight and that’s really what I need.”

Although still in Arizona, Stall has started building relationships with his future Aggie family. He met the team on a visit to Logan last year and keeps in contact with other 2016 recruits Koby McEwen and Daron Henson.

“We kind of talk crap to each other sometimes, but you know, all three of us are excited,” he said of McEwen and Henson. “I mean, we have big aspirations going in. I’m excited to go up there and start working out with those two.”

Stall described himself as a gritty, physical basketball player who doesn’t get flustered and will be proud to be called an Aggie. He said he has been working on his basketball skill since being injured in hopes to be “a lot more explosive” than he was before his injury. In the meantime he is supporting his high school teammates while catching what USU games he can on TV. He is looking forward to visiting the Spectrum with his family later this season.

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