On Monday, rookie R.J. Hampton produced his first career double-double and the 24th overall pick was promptly mobbed by his teammates with a shower of water after helping the Orlando Magic to their third win in four games.
Hampton finished with 16 points, a career-high 10 assists and seven rebounds in 35 minutes of action in the 119-112 win over the Detroit Pistons. He finished the contest by converting on 5-of-11 shots from the field and 5-of-6 from the free-throw line.
With other players having logged heavy minutes as of late, Magic acting head coach Ty Corbin kept Hampton in the game a bit longer than usual and he responded with perhaps his best performance since arriving in Orlando.
“I feel real comfortable,” Hampton said. “The guys motivate me to play to my strengths so I think that’s just a part of growing and maturing getting the experience that I’ve gotten with the Magic and that is to play meaningful minutes. Whenever I’m out there, I’m going to take the best of the opportunity.”
After getting a big bear hug from Cole Anthony and a celebratory shower from his teammates, @RjHampton14 said they're having a lot of fun right now after the win against Detroit.
This interview shows exactly that.đź’™#MagicTogether pic.twitter.com/ACAUYRBYge
— Bally Sports Florida: Magic (@BallyMagic) May 4, 2021
The contest on Monday marked Hampton’s 20th game with the Magic. After seeing little playing time with the Denver Nuggets, the team feels as though he is understanding more and more about the NBA game in his expanded role and that has resulted in some strong performances.
Hampton has now scored in double figures 10 times this season, with each of those coming with the Magic. He is coming off a career-high 18 points on Saturday, another example of Hampton taking advantage of his newfound opportunity.
His teammates have noticed him improving on a nightly basis.
“I think a lot of it is opportunity,” Magic center Mo Bamba said. “I watched Denver some earlier in the year, they played a lot of nationally-televised games, and he didn’t get much opportunity there. Him being able to get an opportunity and figuring out what works and what doesn’t work and what he wants to be in this league is huge for him.”
Fastbreak fun with @RjHampton14 and @moritz_weasley. pic.twitter.com/qGm2eAKuXe
— Orlando Magic (@OrlandoMagic) May 3, 2021
When Hampton first joined the Magic, he said the Nuggets did him a favor by trading him. In Orlando, Hampton will have the opportunity to see plenty of minutes and that will only pay dividends down the road for his development.
This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!
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