Duke Basketball: R.J. Hampton’s reclassification to 2019 seems imminent
By Matt Giles
A Duke basketball target from the 2020 class appears ready to trim his list to five next week, further suggesting that his reclassification to 2019 may be on the horizon.
The Duke basketball program’s ideal solution at point guard next season is the return of current freshman Tre Jones. However, the chance of Jones becoming a sophomore lessens each time the No. 2 Blue Devils (18-2, 7-1 ACC) take the court; his nearly flawless play — 100 assists, 36 steals, and only 18 turnovers to date — continues to propel his name closer to being a projected lottery pick in the 2019 NBA Draft.
At this point, assuming Jones leaves, Duke’s best option at the point next season appears to be Boogie Ellis, a four-star combo guard who ranks No. 34 on the 247Sports Composite and signed his letter of intent back in November.
But a better option is possible: five-star combo guard R.J. Hampton (No. 5 on the composite rankings for the 2020 class) could reclassify to 2019 and commit to becoming a Blue Devil.
Hampton, who turns 18 on Feb. 7, continues to make moves that imply the possibility could soon become a reality. Not only is he taking the necessary classes to have the option to reclassify, but he now appears set to trim his list of potential schools — indicating he may be nearing a decision.
The 6-foot-4, 170-pound native of Little Elm, Texas, tweeted this week what appears to be an announcement that he will name his final five on Thursday:
https://twitter.com/RjHampton14/status/1090742659872931841
It would be a shock if Duke doesn’t make the cut. First, he has spoken highly of coach Mike Krzyzewski and #TheBrotherhood in the past. And Coach K gave him the honor of being Duke’s first offer to a 2020 recruit (in April of last year). Also, the 247Sports Crystal Ball lists the Blue Devils as the favorite to land him (62 percent of the experts agree).
If Hampton does end up in Durham next season, Duke will have an outstanding playmaker who would be fully capable of running the show as the starting floor general. The high school junior regularly drops more than 30 points on opponents with his ability to score from all areas and with either hand around the basket. Earlier this week, during his return from a groin injury that caused him to miss two games, he scored 35 while directing his team to a 111-35 win:
The Blue Devils currently have 2019 commitments from Ellis, five-star center Vernon Carey Jr. (ranks No. 3), and five-star small forward Wendell Moore (ranks No. 22).
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The class ranks No. 6 in the nation, per 247Sports; however, considering Jones and his fellow freshmen starters — Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett, and Cam Reddish — are likely to be professionals next season, more firepower is needed to make Duke a favorite to win the 2020 national championship.
ALSO READ: Duke needs nation’s top recruiting class yet again
And the addition of either Hampton or five-star power forward Matthew Hurt (ranks No. 8), who holds the Blue Devils’ lone remaining offer to a 2019 recruit, would likely do the trick.
But Hampton would be the most important piece to the puzzle if Jones leaves. And Jones’ decision may be exactly what Hampton is waiting on before making a decision to reclassify.
ALSO READ: R.J. Hampton could reclassify if Tre Jones bolts for NBA
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