clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Report: Knicks eyeing R.J. Hampton in first round

The former top prospect opted to skip the NCAA and play in New Zealand this past season. New York could be interested in the 6-10 range.

By Benjamin Zweiman
RJ Hampton of the Breakers looks on during warm up ahead of the round 16 NBL match between the New Zealand Breakers and the Sydney Kings at TSB Stadium on January 17, 2020 in New Plymouth, New Zealand. Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images

The New York Knicks are eyeing G R.J. Hampton if they fall in the 6-10 range in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft, The New York Post reported Wednesday. Hampton, who was once a touted high school prospect out of Texas, skipped college to play in New Zealand apart of the NBL — Australia’s top professional league.

According to the report, insiders are saying people are concerned about Hampton over his pre-draft process — playing in the NBL and then getting injured this season. Hampton could go under the radar as a 6’5” combo guard who could develop into an All-Star in the NBA. It seems like a risky move for the Knicks, who have had bad luck in the draft for a while now. New York needs a true PG more than anything, though chances are the Knicks are busy in the free agent market.

Hampton averaged 8.8 points, 2.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds over 20 minutes in 15 games in the NBL this season.

More From DraftKings Network