Portland Trail Blazers draft profile – RJ Hampton
PNWS continues our series on Portland Trail Blazers’ potential 2020 first-round draft picks. Today it’s RJ Hampton from the New Zealand Breakers of the Australian Basketball League.
The 2020 NBA Draft will be interesting because it lacks the depth and high-end talent from the past several years. This year the Portland Trail Blazers have the 16th overall pick. Currently, the league is holding a virtual combine for prospects. It will run through mid-November, wrapping up a few days before Draft Day on November 18.
Today we look at guard RJ Hampton from Little Elm, Texas, on the outskirts of Dallas. As a rookie last year, Hampton put up some decent numbers for the Breakers. He averaged 22 minutes, 8.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.
Hampton was maybe the top high school player coming into college last year. He was definitely the top wing player. Before Hampton could decide on a college, his name came up in connection with a national recruiting scandal investigated by the FBI.
He shocked the nation by saying no to college ball and yes to pro ball in Australia. The same as Lamello Ball. He signed with the NBL’s New Zealand Breakers.
Hampton’s year in the NBL didn’t go as he had planned. He injured his hip, playing against bigger and stronger competition. It impacted his play on the court. By the end of the season, Hampton was just a rotation piece for his team, making his projection even more complicated.
RJ Hampton Pros
RJ Hampton stands 6-5, with a 6-7 wingspan and is routinely the fastest guy on the court. Like scoring a layup in transition in four seconds or less find. It doesn’t matter if it’s a made shot, missed shot, or turnover. This kid’s speed is a weapon that leads to easy buckets.
Add in his length, and it helps Hampton score around and against would-be shot blockers. He has an excellent mid-range game (it’s a lost or dying art, depending on who you talk to). So, think a combo of Chris Paul (mid-range jumpers) and Victor Oladipo (burning speed).
His shooting form looks good too, no major glaring issue when you watch him put his shot up. Finally, Hampton is a good defender. He can create steals and block shots well for a guard.
RJ Hampton Cons
The NBA is no longer about the mid-range game or heavy in scoring in transition. That’s not good for RJ Hampton, who excels in those two areas. He Looks to score in the lane as his first, second, and third options (with his speed, I can’t blame him).
Unfortunately, NBA defenses will know this, and it won’t be easy for him to accomplish. His shooting form looks good, but he only shot 30 percent on threes in the NBL #Ouch! Hampton is a bit turn over prone and a high-volume shooter (good luck getting 22 shots a game as a rookie).
Verdict
Like I wrote in the Tyrese Maxey article, the current Trail Blazers guards are getting older. It would be a good idea for management to complete the backcourt of the future. Pairing Anfernee Simmons with Hampton would be smart.
Hampton could use more time to work on his shot and get some tutelage from CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard about running an NBA offense and scoring in the league.
As you can see by some of the comps made Hampton’s outlook is a bit volatile. We’d love a combo of Paul and Oladipo, but a Ball and DeRozan wouldn’t be a bad fall back option either. Either way, this kid is going to be an impact player in the NBA. To start, he’ll be able to contribute right away, on defense at least.
Check back with PNWS in the days leading up to the NBA Draft on November 18 as we continue our pre-event coverage.