On the basketball court, Derek Hall has always worked to prove he belonged there.

He worked to establish himself at Northampton High School and helped his team to a state tournament berth in his senior season.

He then raised his game during a four-year stay at Albright College in Reading. While there, Hall quickly developed into a consistent force for the Lions, as he averaged better than 14 points and 10 rebounds in his senior season as he gained All-Commonwealth Conference nomination. A three-year starter at Albright, Hall passed the 1,000-point scoring barrier in his career, and he was key player on the team's conference championship team during the 2009-10 season.

Upon his graduation in June, Hall knew his basketball career wasn't over. In August, Hall signed with Hungary's Marso-Vagep NYKK Pro A League after he was named MVP of the iBall pro combine held earlier in Pennsylvania this year.

Hall has been a steady contributor for the team as he scored a game-high 24 points and grabbed 17 rebounds in a recent victory. A 6-foot-9 center in high school, Hall has blossomed into a 7-foot, 246-pound force playing in Hungary. Yet, Hall realizes he needs to incorporate more than his overall physical presence to succeed at the pro level.

"My expectations for this year is just to prove to teams over in Europe that I can play at this level," said Hall. "This is my rookie year so I know it isn't going to come easy, I just have to work hard every day to get better. I am on one of the youngest teams in the league, so we have to work together in every game if we want to be successful this year."

To reach another level, Hall has worked on the overall evolution of his game.

"During high school I was mainly a shooter and during college I developed my inside game," said Hall. "It also helped that I grew 3.5 inches after high school and I am now seven-foot. So now our coach has me playing the four-position and a little bit of the five down low. I am a dual threat because I am able to pick and pop, so it's hard for the bigger guys to guard me out there. I can score or pass easily down low if a smaller defender is on me."

Hall, who has Hungarian ties in his family, has gained an appreciation of the country as well as neighboring ones.

"I played in a preseason tournament in Romania and Slovakia, the rest of the games are all throughout Hungary" he said. "Currently on our team, our three import players are a big man from DePaul, who is Croatian, a point guard from Bradley and a shooting guard from Ole Miss (Mississippi). The point guard from Bradley, Dyricus Simms-Edwards and I, are both rookies and living together, so we are learning new things everyday about how to adapt to the European game and lifestyle.

"As far as caliber, this is the top league in Hungary, so I'm playing against many guys who played Division-I and are veterans in other professional leagues. There is a lot of talent here."

Hall has also noticed the similarities and differences from the pro game in this country.

"In the United States, I feel like it is mostly one-on-one and a lot of athletes, where as in Europe it is very team oriented basketball with many plays that are run efficiently," stated Hall. "Almost every play has a couple of screens so the defense always has to be ready. The big men play dirty, during box outs they will hold your arm or jersey and if they set a screen on you, you'll get an elbow in your side. They are so good at getting away with it too. The crowds are great too, they remind me of how soccer fans are with their chants and horns they use during the games."

Even though he is roughly 4,400 miles away from home, Hall has enjoyed the transformation that has incorporated some American customs and has also enhanced some he already encountered along the way.

"In my spare time I go to the gym to lift or get shots up, go to the movie theater or mall, and play some Xbox 360," said Hall. "I'm joying my time here so far. I obtained my Hungarian dual citizenship this past July, so I don't take up an important spot (three players are allowed on each roster). Growing up, my grandmother would make me Goulash, langos and palachinkas, so a lot of the food I have been eating over here reminds me of home."

Hall also knows pro careers sometimes can be shorter than expected, so he will take advantage of all of his opportunities. He plans to return home for Christmas and also when the season ends in April.

"I plan to see as much of the world I can while playing basketball," he said. "God blessed me with height, so I'm making the best of it. I want to play basketball until my body tells me it's time to give up, then I plan on finishing my special education degree and want to teach. Also, I would love to coach basketball somewhere.

"Until then, I want to make the most of everything."

As he does, Hall continues to prove he belongs on the pro circuit.