The Boston Celtic have reportedly met with former New Zealand Breakers guard R.J. Hampton virtually, and intend to meet with him face-to-face, according to Forbes Sports’ Chris Grenham.
That the Celtics plan to use one of their 10 in-person visits allowed due to pandemic-related health restrictions signals real interest, assuming it actually comes to pass.
It is quite common for players and agents both to leak information in attempts to gain leverage over where they end up, but this feels different based on the range and potential.
Hampton, who has a lot to work on from jump shot to footwork, is one of the draft’s most athletic prospects, and according to Grenham he has been putting in work on his shot with NBA shooting legend Mike Miller.
The Celtics have met with RJ Hampton and are looking to have an in-person workout with him soon, per sources.
More info in here, plus my conversation with Hampton on his refined jumper, strengths and pre-draft routine with Mike Miller and Penny Hardaway: https://t.co/qSPrqUDVbL
— Chris Grenham (@chrisgrenham) October 28, 2020
“I sought out Mike for a reason,” Hampton shared with Grenham.
“I wanted to be a great shooter, so why not learn from the best. Over the last six, seven months, it’s been going really well. I’m seeing the changes. Getting in the gym, making as many shots as you can each day, seeing the ball go through the net, it definitely gives you a lot of confidence.”
“At first, I wasn’t necessarily sold on the way I was changing my shot, but over time as I became more comfortable with it, it just became natural,” he added.
One of the only prospects with real star upside that the Celtics could reasonably draft without trading up, a move for Hampton would make sense so long as the team has ironclad plans for bench help.
Whether they find it in the draft, or later in free agency.
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