40 Facts About R. J. Hampton

Early Life and High School Beginnings

R. J. Hampton's journey to professional basketball began with a strong family foundation and impressive high school performances.

1. Early Life and Family: Born into an athletic family, R. J. Hampton's father, Rod Hampton, played college basketball for Southern Methodist University (SMU) from 1987 to 1991.

2. High School Career: Hampton attended Little Elm High School in Little Elm, Texas, where he started playing varsity basketball as a freshman.

3. Freshman Year: In his first high school game on November 17, 2016, Hampton scored 33 points, leading his team to a 78–52 victory over Naaman Forest High School.

4. Freshman Statistics: As a freshman, he averaged 23.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 3.5 steals per game, helping Little Elm secure a 29–5 record and the District 14-5A title.

5. Awards and Recognition: Hampton earned a spot on the MaxPreps Freshman All-American first team and received TABC Class 5A All-State and Dallas Morning News All-Area Newcomer of the Year honors.

6. Transfer Decision: In May 2017, Hampton announced his transfer to Montverde Academy in Montverde, Florida, but later chose to return to Little Elm High School.

Rising Star in High School

Hampton's sophomore and junior years saw him solidify his reputation as a top high school player.

7. Sophomore Year: During the 2017–18 season, Hampton averaged 30.3 points, 8.8 rebounds, six assists, 4.4 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game, leading Little Elm to a 28–8 record.

8. Sophomore Awards: He was named to the MaxPreps Sophomore All-American first team and USA Today All-Texas first team, along with TABC 5A All-State honors.

9. Junior Year: As a junior, Hampton averaged 32 points, 9.7 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 3.9 steals per game, guiding Little Elm to a 24–10 record.

10. Texas Gatorade Player of the Year: On March 15, 2019, Hampton was named Texas Gatorade Player of the Year, becoming the first non-senior to win the award since Justise Winslow in 2013.

Professional Leap to the NBL

Skipping college, Hampton chose to play professionally in New Zealand, joining the NBL Next Stars program.

11. NBL Next Stars Program: Hampton joined the New Zealand Breakers through the NBL Next Stars program, designed to develop NBA draft prospects.

12. Professional Debut: On September 20, 2019, Hampton made his professional debut, scoring 11 points, grabbing three rebounds, and dishing out four assists in a win over Melbourne United.

13. Season-High Performance: Two days later, he posted a season-high 20 points, five rebounds, and three steals in a loss to the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

14. Ejection Incident: On November 9, 2019, Hampton was ejected four minutes into a game against South East Melbourne after attempting to put his arm around the neck of opposing guard John Roberson during a scuffle.

15. Hip Injury: On December 11, 2019, it was announced that Hampton would miss about four weeks due to a hip injury.

16. Return to Play: Hampton returned to action on January 5, 2020, scoring 11 points in a win over South East Melbourne.

17. Parting Ways with Breakers: On February 4, 2020, Hampton parted ways with the Breakers to return to the United States and prepare for the 2020 NBA draft.

18. NBL Statistics: Through 15 NBL games, Hampton averaged 8.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, shooting 40.7 percent from the field.

Entering the NBA

Hampton's journey to the NBA was marked by strategic decisions and a promising draft projection.

19. Draft Projection: Hampton was projected as a top 5 pick for the 2020 NBA draft heading into the season.

20. NBA Draft: Hampton was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks as the 24th overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

21. Trade to Denver Nuggets: His draft rights were later traded to the Denver Nuggets in a four-team trade involving the New Orleans Pelicans and Oklahoma City Thunder on November 24, 2020.

22. Signing with Denver Nuggets: On December 1, 2020, the Denver Nuggets announced that they had signed Hampton.

23. Nuggets Statistics: Hampton played 25 games for the Nuggets, averaging 2.6 points and 2.0 rebounds in 9.3 minutes per game.

International Success

Hampton's international experience with the USA national teams showcased his talent on a global stage.

24. International Experience: Hampton won the gold medal at the 2017 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship with the United States national under-16 team, averaging nine points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists in five games.

25. Under-17 World Cup: In 2018, he won another gold medal with the national under-17 team at the FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup but was limited to two games by a foot injury, averaging 7.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game.

Strategic Career Moves

Hampton's decisions to reclassify and join the NBL were pivotal in shaping his professional career.

26. Recruitment and College Decision: Hampton was the No. 4 prospect in the ESPN 100 class of 2020 recruiting rankings but decided to graduate from high school early and reclassify to 2019, forgoing college basketball.

27. Professional Choice Over College: In May 2019, Hampton chose to join a New Zealand professional team over pursuing college basketball, opting for the NBL Next Stars program instead.

Athletic Profile and Future Prospects

Hampton's athleticism and potential make him a promising player in the NBA.

28. Athletic Profile: Hampton is a high-flying athlete at 6-foot-4 with explosive speed, making him a valuable asset on the court.

29. Draft Analysis: His decision to reclassify and enter the draft early was seen as a strategic move to maximize his NBA prospects, given his exceptional skills and potential.

30. NBA Draft Process: Hampton’s draft process was closely watched, with many analysts projecting him as a top pick due to his impressive high school and international performances.

31. Professional Debut Challenges: Despite his impressive statistics in the NBL, Hampton faced challenges in his professional debut, including injuries and disciplinary issues, which impacted his performance.

32. Team Dynamics: Hampton’s decision to leave the Breakers and return to the United States was influenced by his desire to prepare for the NBA draft and potentially join a team that could provide him with more opportunities for development.

33. NBA Career Start: Although Hampton’s NBA career started with the Denver Nuggets, he has yet to fully realize his potential on the professional stage, continuing to work on his skills and adapt to the higher level of competition.

34. Future Prospects: Despite the initial challenges, Hampton remains a promising young player with significant potential for growth and development in the NBA, given his athleticism and skillset.

Family and Community Impact

Hampton's background and potential for community impact highlight his journey beyond basketball.

35. Family Legacy: Hampton’s family has a rich athletic history, with his father playing college basketball and his grandfather serving in the Vietnam War, providing a strong foundation for his own athletic pursuits.

36. Community Impact: As a prominent figure in basketball, Hampton has the potential to inspire younger players and contribute positively to his community, both on and off the court.

Personal Growth and International Competitions

Hampton's experiences have shaped his development as a player and individual.

37. Personal Growth: Hampton’s journey from high school to professional basketball has been marked by personal growth, including overcoming injuries and learning from setbacks, which are essential for any athlete’s development.

38. International Competitions: Hampton’s experience in international competitions has honed his skills and prepared him for the high level of competition in the NBA, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.

Draft Class and Career Path

Hampton's draft class and career path highlight his potential and the challenges ahead.

39. Draft Classmates: Hampton was part of a highly touted 2020 NBA draft class, which included other notable players like LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards, each bringing unique talents to the league.

40. Career Path Ahead: As Hampton continues his journey in the NBA, he faces both opportunities and challenges. His career path ahead will be shaped by his dedication, hard work, and strategic decisions about his future in basketball.

Hampton's Journey Continues

R. J. Hampton's path from high school standout to professional basketball player showcases his talent and determination. With a strong athletic background, he made waves at Little Elm High School, earning numerous accolades. Choosing the NBL over college basketball, he gained valuable international experience with the New Zealand Breakers. Despite facing challenges like injuries and ejections, Hampton's potential remained evident.

Drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks and traded to the Denver Nuggets, he began his NBA career with promise. His international success, including gold medals with the U.S. national teams, highlights his ability to perform under pressure. Hampton's journey is marked by personal growth, overcoming setbacks, and adapting to higher competition levels.

As he continues in the NBA, Hampton's dedication and hard work will shape his future. His story inspires young athletes, showing that perseverance and talent can lead to success on the biggest stages.