Hampton happy to change culture and not be a ‘cupcake’
RJ Hampton wanted to change the culture of basketball — and he chose New Zealand, of all places, to do it.
The American teenage sensation created a stir in the basketball world when he announced in May he would be joining the New Zealand Breakers for the upcoming Australian NBL season instead of going to college in the United States.
It’s a route not often sought — particularly by players of Hampton’s stature — to fill their requirement of being a year removed from high school before being eligible for the NBA draft. But Hampton knew what he wanted, and when the idea was presented to him, it became the obvious path to take.
“I made the decision knowing this would happen, knowing I was going to cause some buzz in the basketball world, and I’m glad I did, because I think I really made the right decision,” he said.
“I was in calculus class, like, three months ago with my friends in high school, going to lunch every day. All my friends started school for their senior year a couple of days ago and I’m not in school — I’m in New Zealand. But everyone understands; I’m just glad it all happened.
“I wanted to do this. I wanted to change the culture of basketball.”
The 18-year-old and his family touched down in Auckland early yesterday and were welcomed with a po¯whiri.
It was their first glimpse of New Zealand culture, and Hampton was quick to tell the fans who showed up to greet him that he’s here to win.
He’ll join a Breakers side with plenty of potential to make a run for the Australian NBL title this season, with team veterans such as Thomas Abercombie and Corey Webster, and imports including Team USA representative Scotty Hopson headlining a talented roster.
Asked about playing under new
director of basketball Dan Shamir, Hampton said: “I feel that if I develop as a player like I know I can over the season, we’ll be the best team in the NBL.”
With a massive reputation already in the US, Hampton has been in touch with NBA superstars such as Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant who have been more than willing to share advice and give him support as he works his way towards one day playing against them on the biggest stage in the sport.
Last month, he was in Las Vegas for the NBA Summer League where he caught up with San Antonio Spurs guard Lonnie Walker IV, who had plenty of good advice to share.
“All the guys I’ve talked to in the NBA told me I made the right decision, that this was going to better help my game, and if they’d thought about this, they might have done the same thing.
“Lonnie was just telling me when you come into a professional basketball league, you have to stay physical. You have to withstand hits, and that’s really what it is — it’s a different league to playing in high school of AAU [Amateur Athletic Union] basketball, which is what I’m used to. But when you have the skill set and the mindset, I feel like you can adjust to the physicality.
“This is a ‘no cupcake’ league and that’s what I’m here for.”