MOULTRIE — After two seasons at Abraham Baldwin College, John Michael Hall wanted to play his last two years of collegiate basketball at highest level possible.

But, he said Friday, that was not his first consideration.

“I wanted to go where God wanted me to go,” the former Colquitt County All-Region player.

So after several days of prayer, Hall decided to accept an offer to play at Drake University, a Division I school in Des Moines, Iowa.

“When the time came to make a decision, I felt at peace about Drake,” Hall said. “And my parents did too. It was nice we were all on the same page.

“It’s a good basketball opportunity and a good opportunity academically. And it’s a chance to live in a different place.”

First-year Drake coach Keno Davis likes Hall’s versatility.

“John Michael is a very good athlete and possesses the ability to create off the dribble as well as shoot from the perimeter,” Davis said. “He played in fast-breaking system at Abraham Baldwin and that will ease his transition into our system.”

Hall said he enjoyed his visit to Des Moines.

“I liked the coaching staff and the players,” he said. “There is nothing I didn’t like.”

Hall was on the varsity for four years at Colquitt County, where he played for his father, Keith Hall, and earned All-Region honors three times.

As a senior, he averaged 18.1 points game and cast his lot with ABAC, where he has started the last two seasons.

This year, he averaged 12.8 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.7 assists while helping lead the Stallions to a 27-5 record and a No. 11 ranking in the final National Junior College Athletic Association Division I poll.

ABAC coach Todd Sheppard said he believes Hall will be successful at the next level.

“I feel his athleticism, high energy level and a genuine love for the game have helped him prepare for this opportunity,” Sheppard said. “His basketball IQ, along with excellent athleticism helped to lead our team to a record-setting season.

“He has truly been an ambassador for ABAC … a tremendous asset to our program on the court and off.”

Hall said he enjoyed his two seasons at ABAC, where he recently was recognized as a “Pace Setter,” for excellence on the Tifton campus.

“I couldn’t be more thankful to ABAC,” Hall said. “I truly enjoyed both years here, both in basketball and otherwise.

“And I’m thankful to have played for coach Sheppard. He is absolutely the hardest worker I’ve known. He goes above and beyond getting out and let people watch us play.”

Hall will report to Drake on June 8 and will stay for several week playing basketball in the community.

He then will return to Moultrie and prepare for a mission trip to Uganda. He had hoped to make another mission trip to Honduras, but is unsure if he will be able schedule it this summer.