R.J. Hampton Heading Overseas

RJ Hampton is a Texas high school basketball player who was recruited by premier programs in the United States. However, it looks like Hampton has decided to spurn those offers and make money right now. That means he's heading overseas and get paid while waiting for the 2020 NBA Draft.

The 6-foot-5 point guard signed a two-year contract with the New Zealand Breakers, a team in the NBL. As a result of his signing with the Breakers, the team will be eligible to receive an $800,000 buyout from any team that selects Hampton in the first round of the draft.

Breakers part-owner and managing director Matt Walsh said about this move and the impact of college programs, "It will be kind of a wake-up moment for college programs...People are going to think, 'How on earth did they lose him to New Zealand?'"

Hampton got offers from Kansas, Memphis, Duke and Kentucky but because of NCAA rules regarding pay, Hampton has spurned those offers to get paid now.

He will join the Breakers as part of the local NBL's Next Stars Program, meaning he'll be paid by the league and not the team. The standard contracts in these programs are around $100,000, but it's expected to be far more than that for Hampton because of his skills and abilities.

There has been a 13-year-rule in place that bars players from entering the draft directly out of high school. Hampton, however, isn't the first player to opt for professional basketball over college. Emmanuel Mudiay played in China and became the No. 7 pick in the 2015 draft. Brandon Jennings spent a season in Italy and was then selected 10th in the 2009 draft.

The NBA and the union are discussing getting rid of the one-and-done rule so that high schoolers can join the league directly. Among those who left high school straight for the NBA are LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Garnett. All of those guys will be in the Hall of Fame.

I honestly can't applaud the move fully because I would like to see this guy on a college program where he can have an impact on one of those teams as they get to the NCAA Tournament next year. However, it's clear that money does speak more than college, and the fact that college's latest scandal are starting to turn away some high-profile athletes. Hampton isn't the first one, as I mentioned.

I know about the New Zealand Breakers, having followed the Sydney Kings, who also play in the NBL, and I know they do get some decent players from time to time. But this will be a big step for them, even if it is one year. I believe Hampton can be a big star in that league and carry the Breakers. His numbers and his impact on the high school level can translate if they stick to those numbers.

This kid wants to get paid right away, and he'll have the opportunity to do that in New Zealand. He will also be able to grow and improve his skills, in order to be ready for the 2020 draft. Mudiay and Jennings have already made big impacts in the NBA, and if Hampton can do that and play well in New Zealand for one year, he'll be a top-5 pick.