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R.J. Hampton is already one of the nation’s top recruits as he enters his junior year of high school, and Kentucky is on his radar.
The 2020 star has enjoyed a big spring and summer recruiting circuit, which has him up to No. 3 overall in the class of 2020 by ESPN. Right now, Duke is the frontrunner with Kansas right behind, according to the 247 Sports Crystal Ball.
However, Hampton’s recruitment could be getting a big shakeup, as he’s considering a move into the Class of 2019, not to mention Kentucky has been coming on strong in his recruitment as of late.
Aiding those efforts is 2019 Kentucky commit Tyrese Maxey starting to recruit Hampton harder, according to Jason Jordan of USA Today High School Sports:
“He jokes around with me telling me to reclass and come with him to Kentucky in 2019,” Hampton told Jordan. “I’d just want to know all of the things he thought about when he was deciding and what ultimately made him stay in his class. I’m gonna take my time and talk it out and come up with a decision soon.”
Hailing from Little Elm, Texas, the 6-4 Hampton has 13 scholarship offers, including the Duke Blue Devils, Kansas Jayhawks, Mississippi State Bulldogs and LSU Tigers. Kentucky has not yet offered, but that could change quickly if he commits to moving into the 2019 class.
Interestingly enough, Kentucky and Duke are already battling for most of the top guards in 2019, so Hampton joining the mix could really shake that up. Among the guards both schools are recruiting include Cole Anthony and Bryan Antoine, two top-10 recruits that appear to be leaning toward Duke at the moment.
Perhaps that’s why Kentucky could like Hampton more in 2019, as it could give them a leg up in his recruitment since Duke is already in good shape with other guards.
Be sure to read Jordan’s full report for more insight into Hampton’s reclassification plans.
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