A five-star basketball recruit from Texas has decided to forego college and will instead play basketball professionally in New Zealand. R.J. Hampton was considering if he should bring his talents to Kansas, Memphis, or Texas Tech for a year, but ultimately chose to go overseas.
Hampton signed a contract with the New Zealand Breakers of the National Basketball League (NBAL) and plans to play for one season before trying his luck in the 2020 NBA draft.
"I feel like this was the best opportunity for me to get ready for the NBA as quickly as possible because that is my ultimate goal," he told Rivals.com. "I think that it is a safer route for players to go instead of going to college, in my opinion."
In 2006, the NBA implemented the so-called "one-and-done" rule that required prospects to be at least 19 years old to eligible for the draft. The rule resulted in many top prospects accepting scholarships to play at elite colleges with the intention of staying for just one year. The rule has faced criticism, and the NBA is working with the player's union to eliminate the requirement in time for the 2022 draft.
While the NBA is debating the rule change, the NBAL is working hard to recruit American players who may not want to spend a year in college. They created the "Next Stars" program aimed at getting young, talented players into the league, where they can learn what it means to be a professional athlete. Hampton is just the second player to be recruited as part of the program and hopes that a year abroad will make him both a better player and a better person.
"I expect to get a whole pro experience without being in the NBA," he said. "I want to live like a pro, play and prepare myself like one, too."
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