Memphis basketball target R.J. Hampton opts to play professionally in Australia's NBL
Drew Hill, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Published 7:50 a.m. CT May 28, 2019 | Updated 7:59 a.m. CT May 28, 2019
R.J. Hampton said he knows he can have a relationship with Mike Miller no matter his college decision. Drew Hill, The Commercial Appeal
When five-star point guard R.J. Hampton reclassified from 2020 to 2019 in April, the announcement left Memphis fans wondering if he would be the Tigers final piece of a historic class.
It was all for not, however, because the point guard on ESPN's "Get Up!" Tuesday morning that he will bypass college basketball completely to play for the New Zealand Breakers of Australia's National Basketball League.
"My dream never has been to play college basketball," Hampton said on the show. "My dream was always to get to the next level and play in the NBA."
Hampton ranks No. 5 overall in 247Sports' composite rankings.
"I never wanted to be normal, so I kind of wanted to set the trend for the younger guys coming up to show them, 'Hey, that's not the only route you can take, is to play college basketball," Hampton said.
The Texas prospect took an official visit to Memphis in September with fellow five-star guard Jalen Green, and the group also met up with eventual Tigers signee James Wiseman at the team practice facility.
Drew Hill, Memphis Commercial Appeal
Published 7:50 a.m. CT May 28, 2019 | Updated 7:59 a.m. CT May 28, 2019
R.J. Hampton said he knows he can have a relationship with Mike Miller no matter his college decision. Drew Hill, The Commercial Appeal
When five-star point guard R.J. Hampton reclassified from 2020 to 2019 in April, the announcement left Memphis fans wondering if he would be the Tigers final piece of a historic class.
It was all for not, however, because the point guard on ESPN's "Get Up!" Tuesday morning that he will bypass college basketball completely to play for the New Zealand Breakers of Australia's National Basketball League.
"My dream never has been to play college basketball," Hampton said on the show. "My dream was always to get to the next level and play in the NBA."
Hampton ranks No. 5 overall in 247Sports' composite rankings.
"I never wanted to be normal, so I kind of wanted to set the trend for the younger guys coming up to show them, 'Hey, that's not the only route you can take, is to play college basketball," Hampton said.
The Texas prospect took an official visit to Memphis in September with fellow five-star guard Jalen Green, and the group also met up with eventual Tigers signee James Wiseman at the team practice facility.
