Fansided

Incoming college basketball recruits who could be 2020 NBA Draft lottery picks

By Evan Kurland

MARIETTA, GA - MARCH 25: James Wiseman attends the 2019 Powerade Jam Fest on March 25, 2019 in Marietta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images for Powerade)
MARIETTA, GA - MARCH 25: James Wiseman attends the 2019 Powerade Jam Fest on March 25, 2019 in Marietta, Georgia. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images for Powerade) /
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NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 18: RJ Hampton #5 of Team Ramsey heads for the net as Josh Christopher #3 of Team Stanley defends during the SLAM Summer Classic 2018 at Dyckman Park on August 18, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 18: RJ Hampton #5 of Team Ramsey heads for the net as Josh Christopher #3 of Team Stanley defends during the SLAM Summer Classic 2018 at Dyckman Park on August 18, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

5. RJ Hampton, Texas HS/New Zealand

Current Strengths: Great sized combo guard (6’5″) who is at his best when the ball is in his hands and he is attacking the basket. High basketball IQ player who is a leader and frequently shows his passion for the game. Hampton is great at utilizing his physical profile to penetrate on offense and cause the defense to collapse. Hampton’s competitive nature already makes him a solid defender but he has the potential to be even better defensively as he develops. A confident young man who will be monitored closely as he chose to forgo college to play professionally in New Zealand.

Room for growth: Hampton will need to hit the weight room in New Zealand. His weight is currently listed at 185 pounds and he will have to show a commitment to strength training while abroad. Hampton also needs to improve his shooting. Most importantly however Hampton will be observed by NBA personnel to see how he handles being a professional against grown men while half-way across the world.

Will Hampton be able to emotionally handle the culture shock as well as deal with not being the go-to player on his team? Most high school players who skipped college have not had tremendous success, although none of had notably bad experiences. Maybe a year away from the American basketball media will artificially keep Hampton as a top-8 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.