Former New Zealand Breakers combo guard RJ Hampton has reportedly already interviewed with the Chicago Bulls entering combine teleconference period.
The reports are now starting to surface as to who the Chicago Bulls are looking into during the teleconference and interview phase of the altered 2020 NBA Draft Combine. The teleconferences started back on Sep. 28, and it looks like the Bulls already have a few draft targets in mind that they’re in contact with. While most Bulls fans would be intrigued by who the front office and coaching staff are looking into with the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft Lottery, the second round pick still matters too.
And the very real possibility that Arturas Karnisovas and Marc Eversley explore the option of a trade with the fourth overall pick (whether it be up or down) makes it so that any potent prospect they scout matters. A few of the names surfacing in relation to Karnisovas and Eversley’s scouting job for the early part of the 2020 NBA Draft Combine start painting a picture of how their draft strategy will play out.
One newer name that surfaced this week that the Bulls seem to be interested in to some degree is the former New Zealand Breakers 6-foot-5 and 185 pound combo guard RJ Hampton. The former five-star recruit elected to pass on the traditional college hoops route and took his talents overseas to play in the NBL with the Breakers.
RJ Hampton interviewed w/ the Wizards, he says. Also, the Kings, Thunder, Pistons, Suns, Blazers, Knicks & Bulls.
— Chase Hughes (@chasedcsports) September 29, 2020
Hampton would likely be projected higher in mocks if it weren't for a hip injury that hurt his production. Could end up a steal for that reason like Michael Porter.
There was a more complete body of work in store for Hampton playing one season in the NBL than his guard counterpart in this draft class, LaMelo Ball formerly of the Illawarra Hawks. Hampton played in 15 games in the NBL with the Breakers. He averaged 8.8 points per game, 3.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.3 blocks. Hampton shot 40.7 percent from the field, 29.5 percent from beyond the arc, and 67.9 percent from the free-throw line.
Although the numbers weren’t all that great for Hampton in his sole year playing in the NBL, his offensive potential and versatility are still very appealing. Not many combo guards in this draft class possess his level of both quickness and lethality in shot creation and facilitation of the offense as he does. He just has to find more consistency in his creating abilities and efficiency with the ball in his hands.
Getting in on scouting and being in contact with Hampton early could be an important step to follow for this Bulls front office. And apparently he has interviewed with both the Bulls and Oklahoma City Thunder, which could be (not confirmed, though) a connection to recently hired head coach Billy Donovan.