The last thing NBA teams want to see is an elite pro prospect sidelined months before the draft is set to take place. That’s taken on new meaning with 2019 No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson still sidelined for the New Orleans Pelicans.
Unfortunately, this appears to be the case with projected 2020 top-five pick R.J. Hampton.
Playing with the New Zealand Breakers of the National Basketball League, the guard is expected to miss the next four weeks or so with a hip injury.
A five-star recruit from Little Elm High School in Texas, Hampton opted to forgo college and play professionally overseas in an attempt to get ready for the 2020 NBA Draft.
It’s not yet known just how severe this injury might be. However, it’s not tremendous news for Hampton’s draft stock as he prepares for a transition from the NBL to the NBA.
We’ll obviously have more updates as they become available.