Since March, NBL Next Star and New Zealand Breakers rookie RJ Hampton has been training with NBA legend Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway who is the head coach of the University of Memphis basketball program, Hampton’s intended college destination before deciding to play in Australia.
Hampton is set to become a first-round pick, although with him selecting Australia over the US college system he has gone under the radar with NBA scouts making him an unknown commodity.
Many mock drafts have him predicted to be drafted as high as fifth on his potential or perhaps as low as 20 due to the perceived risks of drafting a relatively unknown talent.
The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie has him 20th on his big board, nbadraft.net predict he will go 17th, B/R’s Jonathan Wasserman has him listed as the 16th pick, while Yahoo Sports and NBC sports have him sitting as the 11th and 10th selections respectively.
John Martin of The Athletic spoke to Hampton who noted that Hardaway was helping him improve his game in a number of areas.
“I can’t pinpoint it exactly, but what he’s teaching me—it’s pick-and-roll, it’s ball-handling. He’s teaching me exactly what he’s done,” he said. “Penny’s highlights are what he’s teaching me.”
With Hampton exciting some NBA scouts with his ability to change speed and direction combined with his size (196cm), athleticism and quick first step, the consensus is he would likely come off the bench for most NBA teams but he has also shown enough flashes of shot-making and secondary play-making skills to be a longtime contributor in the NBA.
RJ Hampton’s shot is one people should be buying, but I think part of the reason for the inconsistent results on C&S despite the upper body form is because of his lower body set – most notably, he brings his right leg in close on the set and then it sort of pops out. Video below: pic.twitter.com/PXl3TJzD93
— Spencer (@SKPearlman) March 2, 2020
So just why is Hardaway showing an interest in helping Hampton’s draft chances? RJ’s father Rod Hampton believes it’s a reflection of Hardaway being truly invested in developing players, even those who didn’t choose to play for him at Memphis.
“I think it’s a symbol of—does Bill Self do this? Does Coach K do this? No,” he said. “Penny was once RJ. A kid aspiring to be in the NBA. This hits so close for him. He sees something, and he wants RJ to be a successful pro.” said Rod Hampton
Rod revived a text a month after R.J.’s returned home from New Zealand asking the family to “Come down to Memphis as soon as you can,”.
Hampton took a well-publicised official visit to the University of Memphis in September 2018 and was set to play for Hardaway and the Memphis Tigers but the lure of a Next Stars deal (estimated at around $250,000) proved too great.
So while Hardaway didn’t get the chance to help Hampton reach his NBA goals as an college student, he still wanted to lend a hand.
“He told us he wanted to extend his knowledge and give back to R.J., because he thinks R.J. is special,” Rod said. “He told us if R.J. comes up here, you’re gonna see what I do with him. When that phone rings, it’s like Obama calling. You pick that up. How may I help you, sir? I’m reporting for duty.”
Now every Sunday at 6 a.m., the Hampton’s hop into the family’s plush GMC van which is fully furnished and has it’s own TV, internet and PlayStation and make the seven-hour drive to Memphis.
Hampton’s sessions include working with Hardaway through intense two-a-day sessions Monday through Wednesday. Hardaway’s goal is for RJ to see the floor like he did and much of the work-outs are focused on teaching RJ about reads, angles, patience… how to lull an opponent to sleep for three quarters only to strike in the fourth, as an example.
Hampton’s stint in New Zealand wasn’t all he had hoped it would be, his time there cut short by a hip injury which bothered him throughout his time there but he still managed to average 8.8 points and 3.8 rebounds a game while shooting 41 percent from the field.
“It was a good learning thing, because he learned how to be a pro, how to take care of your body, how to learn to be with teammates,” Rod said. “We went to a really potentially good team that had all-stars on it. His minutes were cut because they were trying to win a championship. LaMelo Ball’s team was all about selling tickets. But R.J. got better as a whole, and I think his NBA career is gonna take off much sooner because of it.”
Rod Hampton noted that even Hardaway has said that RJ’s decision to prepare for the NBA in New Zealand was the right decision.
Hardaway, who has also has given both Kyrie Irving and Jayson Tatum access to the Tigers facilities when they are in town and hopes having more NBA level players around the program and his student-athletes having access to these players will help him recruit better talent.
“I just think it’s huge for the University of Memphis,” R.J. said. “Just their status. Penny coming and taking the time to work with me. I feel like this is going to help five-star and four-star prospects really look into Memphis.”
Although the University of Memphis have since closed down Hardaway’s sessions with Hampton due to it not being in accordance with the school’s COVID-19 protocols, Hardaway will continue to help Hampton prepare for the NBA draft which is still currently set for the 25th of June.