2020 NBA draft profile: International prospect R.J. Hampton

Overall outlook on R.J. Hampton

The overall outlook on R.J. Hampton can be done in three words – Work in Progress.

Hampton does a lot of things well and not many things great and for where he’s projected in the draft (roughly 7th through 15th) that might be the best kind of prospect to draft. Hampton has projected within the early 20s for this draft a few months ago and two particular things have stood out to NBA teams that have pushed him into the lottery.

Physical growth

According to the NBL’s Liam Santamaria Hampton has put on 20 pounds of muscle since he arrived on New Zealand shores last year and recently measured 6’6” in shoes.

Repeatedly it has been brought up as a possible issue for Hampton. His weight could limit him when finishing around the ring, but his increased size and weight has made him from a hopeful switchable guard to now being a lock to be able to handle 1-3 in the NBA. We tend to forget these are teenagers and in time they will fill out into their growing bodies.

Pre-Draft

The real progress Hampton has made over the pre-draft process is in his shooting. NBA veteran sharpshooter Mike Miller has been working with Hampton – Miller has changed Hampton’s shot dramatically and now looks like something that could be a more reliable and impactful jump shot. Rather than the spaghetti arm throw he had previously.

Draft scouts and NBA front offices have praised his work ethic over and over, which includes Hampton’s maturity in the pre-draft process. According to Santamaria, Hampton has impressed in pre-draft interviews and when he spoke with R.J. Hampton’s father, Rod Hampton. Santamaria emphasized R.J.’s maturity is a factor in his draft stock increasing.  

"“They’re really excited about where he is sitting right now a couple weeks out from the draft… Teams love a lot about him. Really what stands out with him in this process is his maturity. The kid is really impressive when you sit down with him, and we knew that from the day we first met him and we had him on the show, you listen to the way he speaks.”"

Who should draft R.J. Hampton?

The Athletic’s NBA Draft expert Sam Vecenie placed Hampton at 12th overall in his recent mock draft (paywall). The range from 7th-to-15th is Vecenie’s projection and looking at the nine teams in that range, my suggestions are broken down into two categories who could best use Hampton.

For a non-contending team that are looking for a two-way starting point guard, the list includes the Detroit Pistons, New York Knicks, Washington Wizards, and the Phoenix Suns.

For soon-to-be or trying-to-contend teams, Hampton would be best suited as a back-up point guard who could possibly take over the starting role in the future. These teams include the New Orleans Pelicans, Boston Celtics (especially), and the Orlando Magic.

Hampton is the real deal and don’t let the unknown of the NBL or international play scare you away, the two-way potential for a lightning-quick guard, great finisher, and graceful playmaker is something you want in today’s NBA.