The Philadelphia 76ers are currently getting ready for the NBA draft which is now just one week away on November 18. The Sixers have a few options they can go with as new president Daryl Morey is an unpredictable guy.
They can actually take a player at 21 who can help them with their current needs or they can even trade the pick for a player who can help right now. They obviously need some help in terms of shooting, more versatility, and another guy who can handle the ball.
One guy who adds both versatility and ball-handling is 19-year old prospect R.J. Hampton who decided to forego college and go play overseas for the New Zealand Breakers. He enters this draft as a bit of a mystery as he can be the franchise changer like he believes he is or he could take some time to develop.
As the draft continues to approach, he did have a draft interview with Philadelphia, but he did not work out with them.
“I haven’t worked out with the 76ers,” Hampton stated. “I have spoken to them. I think the biggest thing for me is I feel like I can guard positions 1 through 3 so if I need to be a 1, 2, or 3 at any time, I can fill those roles.”
Hampton says he hasn’t worked out for the Sixers, but he has talked to them in an interview. He also feels like he can fill any role 1, 2, or 3 for Philly. #Sixers
— Ky Carlin (@Ky_Carlin) November 11, 2020
Playing in the NBL for the Breakers, he did not have an overwhelming stat line. He averaged 8.8 points and 3.9 rebounds with 1.1 steals, but that time playing professionally makes him feel like he is ready for the NBA right now.
“Playing in the NBL, I kind of already went through that learning curve,” he explained. “I feel confident and I expect to get on the floor as fast as possible and make an immediate impact in the coming years. I want to be one of the players that everybody counts on on the team to get us wins.”
That opportunity may or may not be in Philadelphia as the Sixers are in a position where they can trade this pick for somebody to help right away, but Hampton is a guy who can help out right now.
He feels like playing with top prospect LaMelo Ball makes him an NBA ready player right now.
“I think being over there with LaMelo, we both had different roles, we both had different situations, I feel like we both learned a lot over there,” he finished with. “Going through this process with him, we keep in touch a lot. I think we’re both the most ready prospects.” [lawrence-related id=38983,38980,38974]