by Draft Room contributor:
Leader Johnson @WriterLeader247
If you talk gamers you’re talking R.J. Hampton. At 6-4 170 R.J. gives you an impact guard on both sides of the floor. On offense, he has the handles to embarrass any defender; Hampton has the ability to do what he wants to defenders when the ball is in his hands. He has the smoothest all-around offensive game in his class and is only going to get better; yea I said he is going to get better.
R.J. is ranked as the number one prospect in Texas and number one combo guard and fifth ranked overall prospect in the 2020 basketball recruiting class by 247 sports. He is a dangerous addition to any offense at both guard positions but really R.J. Hampton only has one position and that is the position made famous by NBA Hall of Famer Allen Iverson: R.J. Hampton is a”Killa”. You want a winner that is R.J. Hampton. You want a leader that is R.J. Hampton. He spoke with me for NBA Draft Room about his NBA future and more.
LJ: What did you average this past season?
RJ: Last year I averaged 30 PPG, 8 Rebounds, and 6 Assist.
LJ: When did you notice your buzz as a basketball player start to take off?
RJ: I noticed my buzz take off as a player my freshman year at the Adidas Gauntlet when I scored 50 in front of the top coaches in the country.
LJ: What will NBA teams like about your character?
RJ: I feel like NBA teams will like that I always have a smile on my face, I’m always having fun. Also all my life I’ve been a We before me player, I just want to see my whole team eat.
LJ: What will stand out about you off the court?
RJ: I’m a fun guy, just like to chill with my teammates.
LJ: Do you want the ball in your hands at the end of games? Why?
RJ: Always, but not for the reason people might think. I want the ball in my hands in the end of the game to make a play, not only score. I live for that kind of stuff.
LJ: The Unicorn movement. Tell me how that started? How did you become a part of that?
RJ: Well, Jalen Green started Unicorn Fam, me and him are close so I joined and now it is where it is. The rest is history.
LJ: The name Unicorn carries weight. Will you all carry this movement to the pros?
RJ: Who knows, I’ll always be a unicorn but you never know what the future holds.
LJ: Who is all in the Unicorn Fam?
RJ: Jalen Suggs, Jalen Green, James Wiseman, Zion Harmon, and myself.
LJ: How close are you and fellow 2021 NBA top prospect Jalen Green?
RJ: We are really close, that’s family. Anything he needs I’ll be there for him and he’d do the same for me. Our parents are close. That’s my brother.
LJ: If you could choose the NBA team you could play for who would it be?
RJ: Well I’m a Laker and a Mavs fan, but I’ll be blessed to whatever team I will hopefully get drafted to.
LJ: You have an intense energy on the court. What is that fire that everyone sees?
RJ: I just hate to lose. Me being a point guard the game falls back on me. It’s just me wanting to win.
LJ: Tell me about Little Elm, Texas. What is it like? How was it growing up?
RJ: Little Elm is great. It’s a small town where everyone knows everyone. The town supports the basketball team like no other. I’m thankful to live and grow up in Little Elm.
LJ: Your dad is a good guy. What type of bond do you and your dad have? What has he taught you about the game of basketball?
RJ: I love my dad; he’s taught me so much about life and basketball. In basketball he’s taught me don’t make the game complicated, keep it simple and you’ll be fine. Also you have to play defense, no debate.
LJ: He talks about how strong your mother is? Talk about how she has been an influence in your life?
RJ: My mom is my world, I love her so much, and she’s never missed a game and barely even a practice or workout. That’s my rock!
LJ: What about your game allows you to make the most impact on the court?
RJ: I feel like my feel for the game makes me hard to guard. My IQ, when you can be smarter than your opponent makes the game a lot easier.
LJ: You are number three on the 2021 NBA draft board. Are you a one and done?
RJ: God has his own plan for me. But I’m going to work my butt off to get to the NBA because that is my main goal.
LJ: This 2020 recruiting class is supposed to put out some talented prospects for the 2021 NBA draft class. What makes you stand out?
RJ: What makes me stand out is I can do everything on the court, full game player.
LJ: What type of player does an NBA team get when they get RJ Hampton?
RJ: They get a fierce competitor, an all-around player that has the ability to score and pass at will!
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