RJ Hampton to New Zealand

[tower912]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/top-high-school-basketball-player-rj-hampton-skips-college-to-professionally-in-new-zealand-132640580.html

Good choice?   Bad choice?  Portent?

[Jay Bee]

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/top-high-school-basketball-player-rj-hampton-skips-college-to-professionally-in-new-zealand-132640580.html

Good choice?   Bad choice?  Portent?

It's an option they all have. If that what he wants, more power to him. If you hate the idea of the NCAA, there's an option.

[texaswarrior74]

https://247sports.com/college/north-carolina/Article/RJ-Hampton-pro-deal-New-Zealand-Breakers-132369179/

[#UnleashSean]

Surprised this doesn't happen more.

[forgetful]

I would gladly take a paid year in New Zealand.

[mu03eng]

I think it'll hurt his brand recognition some but ultimately if he's a first round talent he'll go in the first round so it's fine.

[Jockey]

Surprised this doesn't happen more.

The reason is that the positions are limited.

European teams do not want American players from high school. There is virtually no market there.

So the options left are mainly in New Zealand, China, and southeast Asia.
Most 18 year olds just out of high school aren't ready to leave their homes and families for the other side of the world to a culture and language (in most cases) that are completely alien to them.

[lawdog77]

I would gladly take a paid year in New Zealand.

+1000. Amazing country.

[TheGym]

I would gladly take a paid year in New Zealand.

I concur with this statement.  It is the NBA equivalent of a gap year and you get paid handsomely for it.

[Jockey]

+1000. Amazing country.

As an adult, I would certainly agree. For an 18-year old going to a different culture and country, I don't know. I do hope it works out for him, though.

[brewcity77]

As an adult, I would certainly agree. For an 18-year old going to a different culture and country, I don't know. I do hope it works out for him, though.

I had a friend go to neighboring Australia right after graduating from Marquette. He was excited to leave, but when I saw him next he was anxious to get home & said it was incredibly lonely & difficult. I don't think he regrets it, but as soon as the job ended, he came back home and has stuck to the States since.

Though I'm sure Barrett will have more disposable income, which I know was an impediment for my friend.

[MU82]

Here is another way around the one-and-done rule:

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/article230931758.html?cid=DM31515&bid=431709466

Kids who graduate from high school and attend one of those basketball warehouse prep schools for a year, and turn 19 years old, can go to the NBA without setting foot on a college campus or going overseas.

[CreightonWarrior]

Here is another way around the one-and-done rule:

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/college/article230931758.html?cid=DM31515&bid=431709466

Kids who graduate from high school and attend one of those basketball warehouse prep schools for a year, and turn 19 years old, can go to the NBA without setting foot on a college campus or going overseas.

I'm having a hard time seeing how a year in prep school would be better than a year in college.

[MU82]

I'm having a hard time seeing how a year in prep school would be better than a year in college.

I don't disagree with you.

I guess this option is for those who maybe go to prep schools thinking they will go to college but then outperform or just decide they don't want to go to college after all.

[Jockey]

I'm having a hard time seeing how a year in prep school would be better than a year in college.

Bad student?

[Pakuni]

Let's check in on Doug Gottlieb ... yep, still a clown.


Doug Gottlieb @GottliebShow
RJ Hampton agreeing to sign in New Zealand a month ago and only telling colleges this week is about as classless as they come. I blame his parents, call the coaches, tell em your decision, they all would have wished him well and moved on. What a DB maneuver