25. R.J. Hampton, guard, New Zealand
It’s not hard to see why R.J. Hampton was a five-star recruit. He has great size for a comboguard — 6-foot-5, with a 6-foot-7 wingspan — and he’s an electric athlete, using slippery handles to manipulate and evade defenders. He has the core tool kit of a quality NBA guard.
An inconsistent campaign in the Australian league put a dent in Hampton’s draft stock. He struggled with injuries and was largely inefficient. Even as a high schooler playing against grown men, Hampton’s struggles from beyond the arc, as well as his deficiencies as a facilitator, were troublesome.
There’s still plenty of reason for optimism. That said, Hampton will need time and an accommodating NBA home. He’s no longer a lottery pick, and is probably best served on a contender with high-level playmakers already on the roster.