Top high school basketball player R.J. Hampton skips college to play professionally

[Bobbyplaza133]

Top high school basketball player R.J. Hampton skips college to play professionally in New Zealand (https://sports.yahoo.com/top-high-school-basketball-player-rj-hampton-skips-college-to-professionally-in-new-zealand-132640580.html)

R.J. Hampton, one of the top high school basketball players in the country, was expected to announce his college decision on Tuesday morning.

Instead, he took a different route.

During a segment on ESPN’s “Get Up,” Hampton announced that he decided to play professionally in New Zealand instead of taking the more common “one-and-done” route. Hampton, a five-star recruit from Texas, recently announced three finalists: Kansas, Memphis and Texas Tech. However, he has signed an undisclosed contract with the New Zealand Breakers, a team that plays in the National Basketball League, the professional league based out of Australia and New Zealand.

Hampton told Rivals.com that he feels like this decision will best prepare him for the 2020 NBA draft.

“I feel like this was the best opportunity for me to get ready for the NBA as quickly as possible because that is my ultimate goal,” he told Rivals.com. “I think that it is a safer route for players to go instead of going to college, in my opinion.”

A historic decision

Hampton, a 6-foot-5 guard, was originally a class of 2020 prospect but decided in April to jump up to 2019 in an effort to find better competition and get to the NBA a year sooner. A month later, he has landed on a different path altogether — one that has never been taken by a prospect of his ilk.

A few other American teenagers — like Brandon Jennings, Emmanuel Mudiay, Terrance Ferguson and Brian Bowen — have gone overseas instead of spending a year in college, but all four faced eligibility questions. Hampton did not have those issues lingering over him. He simply wants to get a jump-start on his professional career without having to go through the charade of less than a year in college.

“I expect to get a whole pro experience without being in the NBA,” he told Rivals.com. “I want to live like a pro, play and prepare myself like one, too.”

Hampton is hoping to follow in Ferguson’s footsteps. Ferguson committed to Arizona out of high school but decided instead to play for the Adelaide 36ers. After one season in Australia, Ferguson was selected No. 21 overall in the 2017 NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Ferguson’s successful stint in the NBL resulted in the league starting a program called “Next Stars,” in an effort to attract more talented American prospects looking to bypass college for a professional career.

Bowen, who played for the Sydney Kings after his father was embroiled in the federal college basketball trial, was the first to enter the league via the Next Stars program. Hampton is the second.

‘One-and-done’ era nearing an end?

Players following this path could be the latest blow to the one-and-done rule that requires players to be 19 years or older, effectively forcing top-tier prospects to play in college for a year.

However, the rule is reportedly on the way out. Multiple outlets reported earlier this year that the draft-eligible age could be lowered to 18 by the 2022 draft. Once that comes to fruition, high school players can go straight to the NBA like Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and others did before the rule change in 2006.

[Rareairx23]

thanks for posting this. I hope more recruits go this route honestly, the one and done needs to go like now imo.

[Doublexthebeast]

I think this is actually a good thing and I can respect his decision. It sucks because it will be tougher to watch him play but I agree with the kid wanting to start training/acting like a pro immediately.

[SDcardguy24]

Good for him getting paid!

[Siberian13]

Suck it NCAA!

[smalltown]

I'd take a paid trip to New Zealand and Australia to play basketball over going to a NCAA school every day of the week. Good on him. Hope he enjoys his time there.

[gomiamigo]

I feel the complete opposite, except for the getting paid part. Going to a UNC or Kansas Or Texas or Mich is way more fun and you're building a lifelong network from Day One. Almost all the pro players will tell you how much they enjoyed college and being surrounded by other college students and learning from them. Kobe's said not going is one of his biggest regrets. KD talks often about how much that year at UT meant to him.

I don't have anything bad to say about him chasing the money though.

[buckunteer]

Option certainly makes sense to me. Make some money, get some solid training on how to be a pro. Avoid the ridiculous NCAA rule pitfalls. Seems like a win all around.

[smalltown]

Going to a UNC or Kansas Or Texas or Mich is way more fun

I think that's all in the eye of the beholder. I wouldn't choose it. I'd rather go to Australia/New Zealand and live and train for 6 months. Living in Aukland during the summer months trumps any of those college cities. Plus i don't have to worry about the pretences of school and pretend i'm a student.

[yiguiri2002]

Whatever anyone prefers, the good thing is kids have more choices now.

[smalltown]

Whatever anyone prefers, the good thing is kids have more choices now.

This is the key. Although they've had choices before. Kids are just more willing to explore them now.

[ljandkg]

As a NZ Breakers fan this will be interesting. Hampton is obviously a great prospect, but the NBL is a good league and he'll be playing seasoned pros. Refereeing is different here than in the States and takes some adjusting to.

As a fan we'll either get a guard who stars and the team will improve, or he'll struggle and it'll be an experiment that ends in disaster.

[ClipsandVols]

As a NZ Breakers fan this will be interesting. Hampton is obviously a great prospect, but the NBL is a good league and he'll be playing seasoned pros. Refereeing is different here than in the States and takes some adjusting to.

As a fan we'll either get a guard who stars and the team will improve, or he'll struggle and it'll be an experiment that ends in disaster.

Hope he does great for your Breakers. I'm a big fan of the move personally. No point in him playing college basketball if he's never wanted to.

[Archangel1775]

I'd take a paid trip to New Zealand and Australia to play basketball over going to a NCAA school every day of the week. Good on him. Hope he enjoys his time there.

Yup and once his NBA career is complete, he can always go back to college. They'll all still be there.

[asujbl]

I think that's all in the eye of the beholder. I wouldn't choose it. I'd rather go to Australia/New Zealand and live and train for 6 months. Living in Aukland during the summer months trumps any of those college cities. Plus i don't have to worry about the pretences of school and pretend i'm a student.

Do chicks there know who you are though?

[ninjacookies]

He'll be the best NBA player named RJ in 4 years.

Good on him. Hope more go this route. Surprised he didn't choose China though. That's where all the money is at.

sidenote: he looks like Exum. Hope his career doesn't fare the same.

[ThoseBackPages]

Luka knew!

[Eckstein197]

Love that he’s playing on the Breakers, especially as a huge Barstool sports fan. Will definitely be collecting him once he’s drafted.

Any New Zealand cards for this league?

[Eckstein197]

Also the NCAA sucks majorly so anyone choosing to go a different route I’m supportive of.

[drobfan8]

I'd love to see more talent coming our way. Good way to earn a few hundred thousand also and an awesome lifestyle.

[drobfan8]

He'll be the best NBA player named RJ in 4 years.

Good on him. Hope more go this route. Surprised he didn't choose China though. That's where all the money is at.

sidenote: he looks like Exum. Hope his career doesn't fare the same.


Agreed. NBL doesn't pay that much
Love that he’s playing on the Breakers, especially as a huge Barstool sports fan. Will definitely be collecting him once he’s drafted.

Any New Zealand cards for this league?

Not any more I don't think. The 90s though

[PrimeTimePlaya]

Hopefully he hooks up with a Kiwi girl and we have our own Ben Simmons in 20 years...

[ND3]

No better place to showcase your skills then in college game.

Kid knew he didn't want to be a student athlete. Smart move.

[regularp]

I feel the complete opposite, except for the getting paid part. Going to a UNC or Kansas Or Texas or Mich is way more fun and you're building a lifelong network from Day One. Almost all the pro players will tell you how much they enjoyed college and being surrounded by other college students and learning from them. Kobe's said not going is one of his biggest regrets. KD talks often about how much that year at UT meant to him.

I don't have anything bad to say about him chasing the money though.

I'm 100% supportive of what this kid's doing. The top argument for going to college at this point is the exposure.

Think of how big Zion already is and the endorsements he's going to be rolling in because of his year at Duke. If he went overseas first, he'd be getting far less in that regard.

[mfw13]

The only surprise to me is that he chose to go to New Zealand instead of Europe, where the talent level is higher.

[smalltown]

The only surprise to me is that he chose to go to New Zealand instead of Europe, where the talent level is higher.

Going to Australia/New Zealand will be a lot easier transition. The language barrier won’t be there which is a huge deal for a young American IMO.

[jmeryllman]

I like it. Now kids have a choice. Also, that scholarship he would have taken can be given to another kid.

[prospectorgems]

I'm 100% supportive of what this kid's doing. The top argument for going to college at this point is the exposure.

Think of how big Zion already is and the endorsements he's going to be rolling in because of his year at Duke. If he went overseas first, he'd be getting far less in that regard.

This is exactly what came to my mind and I think that will hurt him no matter how well he does. But I do get it from a player perspective. I would not get a job after high school to not get paid for my talents.

[sethc1020]

Good for him! More and more kids are going to go this route rather than go to the NCAA for one year and get nothing for it. Its time the NCAA catches up and starts to spread a little of the $1 Billion they are making off of these kids.

[sethc1020]

I'm 100% supportive of what this kid's doing. The top argument for going to college at this point is the exposure.

Think of how big Zion already is and the endorsements he's going to be rolling in because of his year at Duke. If he went overseas first, he'd be getting far less in that regard.
Zion was already huge way before he got to Duke. My kids have been watching videos of him play on youtube for years going back to his JH days. Duke just didn't "discover" him, scouts and the NBA have known about him and all other top talent kids since they were very young. Zion would have been the #1 pick without Duke. Just look at all the high school kids that were going in the first round in years past before the 1 and done rule.

[tazz1213]

Zion was already huge way before he got to Duke. My kids have been watching videos of him play on youtube for years going back to his JH days. Duke just didn't "discover" him, scouts and the NBA have known about him and all other top talent kids since they were very young. Zion would have been the #1 pick without Duke. Just look at all the high school kids that were going in the first round in years past before the 1 and done rule.

Zion saw a boost this past year in his draft stock and a HUGE boost in his endorsement dollars. The exposure at Duke, with EVERY game being televised, was massive for him. Remember he was NOT the presumptive #1 pick. If he had played overseas he MIGHT be looking at no better than a #5-#10 pick and would NOT be signing a $100 Million+ sneaker deal. Show me one NBA mock draft that had him at #1 over RJ before the season started.

I have no problem with a kid who has no desire to be a student athlete making this move. Darius Bazley ended up sitting out the entire year instead of playing overseas or in the G League. He took $1 million from New Balance to be an intern and promote the brand. I am not even sure where he is at in the upcoming draft. Definitely not a first rounder anymore.

[sethc1020]

Zion saw a boost this past year in his draft stock and a HUGE boost in his endorsement dollars. The exposure at Duke, with EVERY game being televised, was massive for him. Remember he was NOT the presumptive #1 pick. If he had played overseas he MIGHT be looking at no better than a #5-#10 pick and would NOT be signing a $100 Million+ sneaker deal. Show me one NBA mock draft that had him at #1 over RJ before the season started.

I totally disagree with this statement. He would have been the #1 pick without Duke hands down. Did he get a little more exposure to the average basketball fan that doesn't keep track of high school kids, sure. But don't fool yourself into thinking that the NBA hasn't been watching this kid since Junior High or maybe even earlier. He has been a youtube sensation for YEARS and would absolutely had a huge endorsement deal. Anybody that saw the McDonalds High School All American game knows that as well. This kid has unmatched Size and Athleticism that has never been seen before with the exception of Lebron. Not sure about mock drafts because they aren't real and I don't follow them.

[Noles939913]

Zion was already huge way before he got to Duke. My kids have been watching videos of him play on youtube for years going back to his JH days. Duke just didn't "discover" him, scouts and the NBA have known about him and all other top talent kids since they were very young. Zion would have been the #1 pick without Duke. Just look at all the high school kids that were going in the first round in years past before the 1 and done rule.

Zion wasn’t even the #1 player in his recruiting class so how can you assume he would’ve been the #1 pick?

[yiguiri2002]

Zion was the second best prospect in his class and one of the most hyped players of the last decade.

This kid is #6 in his class. Pretty bold decision still but he's no Zion when it comes to exposure.

[sethc1020]

Zion wasn’t even the #1 player in his recruiting class so how can you assume he would’ve been the #1 pick?
How many #1 players from their recruiting class end up going #1 overall in the draft? Maybe all the time Im not sure but I bet its not as often as one would think. Recruiting for college and the NBA are 2 totally different things.

[tazz1213]

I totally disagree with this statement. He would have been the #1 pick without Duke hands down. Did he get a little more exposure to the average basketball fan that doesn't keep track of high school kids, sure. But don't fool yourself into thinking that the NBA hasn't been watching this kid since Junior High or maybe even earlier. He has been a youtube sensation for YEARS and would absolutely had a huge endorsement deal. Anybody that saw the McDonalds High School All American game knows that as well. This kid has unmatched Size and Athleticism that has never been seen before with the exception of Lebron. Not sure about mock drafts because they aren't real and I don't follow them.

RJ Barrett was the first high school player since Lebron to win EVERY High School POTY award. Plus, he lead Team Canada to the U-19 World Championship, beating Team USA along the way. Barrett was the UNQUESTIONED #1 going into the season. Also, it is ridiculous, on your part, to think Zion would have been the #1 pick AND earned a $100 million+ shoe deal while playing a year overseas. The knock on Zion coming out of high school was that he played in a very weak class in his state FILLED with a majority of white kids. You have seen those videos so you know what I am talking about. His game, though it may have been spectacular, would have gone unnoticed in New Zealand. Are you really suggesting Duke did NOTHING for draft position and endorsement dollars?!

Also, didn't Nassir Little win the MVP of the McDonald's All American Game?! I get it, you are in LOVE with Zion. You and Skip Bayless are probably related. Isn't he saying Zion is a Top 5 player in the World, right now, before he even plays a single second of NBA basketball?! SMH

Back on topic. This kid is doing what he and his family think is best for his future. Spending a year overseas and collecting a couple hundred grand is not a terrible option. Will it help or hurt his draft stock is the unanswered question. Good luck to him.

[ninjacookies]

I had not even known this kid existed prior to today.

Almost every person who followed any level of basketball had heard the name Zion before he even committed to Duke.

These are not the same situations.

[sethc1020]

RJ Barrett was the first high school player since Lebron to win EVERY High School POTY award. Plus, he lead Team Canada to the U-19 World Championship, beating Team USA along the way. Barrett was the UNQUESTIONED #1 going into the season. Also, it is ridiculous, on your part, to think Zion would have been the #1 pick AND earned a $100 million+ shoe deal while playing a year overseas. The knock on Zion coming out of high school was that he played in a very weak class in his state FILLED with a majority of white kids. You have seen those videos so you know what I am talking about. His game, though it may have been spectacular, would have gone unnoticed in New Zealand. Are you really suggesting Duke did NOTHING for draft position and endorsement dollars?!

Also, didn't Nassir Little win the MVP of the McDonald's All American Game?! I get it, you are in LOVE with Zion. You and Skip Bayless are probably related. Isn't he saying Zion is a Top 5 player in the World, right now, before he even plays a single second of NBA basketball?! SMH

Back on topic. This kid is doing what he and his family think is best for his future. Spending a year overseas and collecting a couple hundred grand is not a terrible option. Will it help or hurt his draft stock is the unanswered question. Good luck to him.

Im not in love with him at all and actually like Barrett a lot also but this kid has been a superstar long before he stepped foot on a court in a Duke Uniform and thats the argument. You keep focusing on who won MVP and who was recruited to #1 to college, NBA scouts don't care about any of that as much as you do. They look at his combination of athleticism and size and you can't find that anywhere else in any recruiting class. Just like with Lebron, that combination of size and ability just doesn't come around very often. Thats what talent scouts look for. Sure Barrett is good, don't get me wrong but you can find that size and talent in almost any given year. Not the same with Zion.

[Noles939913]

How many #1 players from their recruiting class end up going #1 overall in the draft? Maybe all the time Im not sure but I bet its not as often as one would think. Recruiting for college and the NBA are 2 totally different things.

Which makes it even more preposterous for you to claim he would’ve been undoubtedly No. 1 without Duke.

[RogerGodahell]

The only surprise to me is that he chose to go to New Zealand instead of Europe, where the talent level is higher.

That was my initial thought as well. He may of had a hard time in the EuroLeague. If you look at the stats of some of the best players in the EuroLeague those guys don't put up huge numbers. A good season is averaging like 10-12 points. That doesn't mean they are weak players it's just different. The spacing is tougher. It could possibly hurt his draft position if he didn't have a strong season. The EuroLeague competition is much tougher then college basketball.

[RogerGodahell]

Zion saw a boost this past year in his draft stock and a HUGE boost in his endorsement dollars. The exposure at Duke, with EVERY game being televised, was massive for him. Remember he was NOT the presumptive #1 pick. If he had played overseas he MIGHT be looking at no better than a #5-#10 pick and would NOT be signing a $100 Million+ sneaker deal. Show me one NBA mock draft that had him at #1 over RJ before the season started.

I have no problem with a kid who has no desire to be a student athlete making this move. Darius Bazley ended up sitting out the entire year instead of playing overseas or in the G League. He took $1 million from New Balance to be an intern and promote the brand. I am not even sure where he is at in the upcoming draft. Definitely not a first rounder anymore.

I agree with that. Maybe higher then #5 but maybe not #1. Look at Luka if they had known he was that good for sure he definitely would have been the #1 pick instead of #3.

I think they'll start looking at EuroLeague prospects a lot harder now though.

The competition is a lot tougher. They're playing against grown men, professionals.

[BackToWax]

Zion was not projected to be the number one pick before playing at Duke. He was Instagram/YouTube famous already.
Projected top-5? Sure. Absolute lock at number 1? Hell no.

Regarding Hampton, I think something that's missing in the conversation is the level of coaching Zion got at Duke. Playing for Coach K is as good as it gets. You'll never get better coaching than that. The same could be said for guys at UK, UNC, KU, MSU, etc.

Playing for hall of fame coaches who have coached hall of famers is huge in a player's development. Talent needs refinement, especially at 18/19/20 years old.

While the money is nice, I doubt Hampton will get that level of coaching in Australia.

[rman112]

No better place to showcase your skills then in college game.

Kid knew he didn't want to be a student athlete. Smart move.

To be fair though, plenty of schools would've taken him an been OK with him not going to class.

[ninjacookies]

Zion was not projected to be the number one pick before playing at Duke. He was Instagram/YouTube famous already.
Projected top-5? Sure. Absolute lock at number 1? Hell no.

Regarding Hampton, I think something that's missing in the conversation is the level of coaching Zion got at Duke. Playing for Coach K is as good as it gets. You'll never get better coaching than that. The same could be said for guys at UK, UNC, KU, MSU, etc.

Playing for hall of fame coaches who have coached hall of famers is huge in a player's development. Talent needs refinement, especially at 18/19/20 years old.

While the money is nice, I doubt Hampton will get that level of coaching in Australia.

Zion's generational tag started in high school.

He was at worst a number 2. It was always between him and RJ...until the college season started and people realized exactly how much more dominant and consistent Zion was.


If big Z dominated the best that div 1 american ball could throw at him, I could only have imagined what he would have done against the Southland Sharks or Guangdong Tigers, where a 65 year old Starbury somehow managed to get the league MVP award.

Zion was going to go number 1 regardless where he played, imo. But I agree that the coaching he got here under K was priceless...even if it was only for a season.

[k13]

He won't go to Europe cause he will look bad and get exposed.

[mondogenerator]

as a kiwi, its pretty cool

initially when the breakers said they had huge news somehow a rumor about carmello signing with them came outta nowhere and was almost immediately crushed. i literally WTF at that one

guess it's a good excuse to get some early signed stuff or at least there will be a ton of local memorabilia here.

[LC2nine10]

The only surprise to me is that he chose to go to New Zealand instead of Europe, where the talent level is higher.

He said it was partially because english was the language spoken there.

[sethc1020]

Which makes it even more preposterous for you to claim he would’ve been undoubtedly No. 1 without Duke.

Why, as others have stated he was not the #1 college recruit in his class.

[Bobbyplaza133]

Kenyon Martin Jr. to skip college, pursue professional career (https://sports.yahoo.com/reports-kenyon-martin-jr-to-skip-college-pursue-professional-career-133842226.html)

Another prominent high school basketball player is forgoing college to pursue a professional career.

Kenyon Martin Jr., the son of longtime NBA forward Kenyon Martin, has decided not to attend Vanderbilt, where he signed to play for new coach Jerry Stackhouse. Instead, he told 247Sports.com, he will sign a deal with a professional team, presumably overseas. He has yet to sign a contract.

Martin, a 6-foot-6 forward from Chatsworth, California, signed to play for Vanderbilt in early May, choosing the Commodores over TCU, UCLA and West Virginia. Rivals.com rated Martin as a three-star prospect.

According to ESPN.com, Martin informed the Vanderbilt coaches of his decision earlier this week, when he was expected to enroll. Martin played at Sierra Canyon School in California alongside fellow Vanderbilt signee Scotty Pippen Jr., the son of NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen. The younger Pippen arrived on campus this week.

Vanderbilt is coming off a season in which it went 0-18 in SEC play after losing projected NBA lottery pick Darius Garland to a season-ending injury. After the season, the school fired Bryce Drew and brought in Stackhouse, a two-time NBA All-Star who played 18 seasons in the NBA.

Since retiring in 2013, Stackhouse has served as an NBA assistant and also had a three-season stint as the head coach of the G League affiliate of the Toronto Raptors.

Martin reportedly ‘influenced’ by R.J. Hampton

Martin is the second high school prospect to bypass college for a professional career in recent weeks. R.J. Hampton, one of the top players in the country, announced May 28 that he signed a contract to play for the New Zealand Breakers of the National Basketball League, the professional league in Australia.

Hampton, a 6-foot-5 guard from Texas, was a five-star recruit in the 2019 class and ranked by Rivals as the nation’s sixth-best prospect. He said in multiple interviews that he plans to spend one season playing in the NBL before making the jump to the NBA.