Which 2020 Players Could Potentially Take Prep-to-Pro Route?
This time last year, R.J. Hampton shocked the basketball world and opted to play professionally in New Zealand as opposed to suiting up in college.
In February, Hampton, who was widely regarded as one of the top players in the country, told Sports Illustrated that a handful of his peers in the 2020 class have inquired about his experience overseas.
“I tell them like this, if you’re looking to compete and have fun and have that whole college experience, then go to college,” Hampton said. “But if you’re looking to step into the league and make an impact, I think going overseas is the best option.”
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Over the last few years, it’s become commonplace for elite players to entertain inquiries and offers from professional teams overseas with the lure of lucrative contracts as opposed to playing for free at a university.
On Tuesday, Word of God Christian Academy (Raleigh, N.C.) forward Isaiah Todd told SI All-American that he’d decommitted from Michigan to pursue a pro career, though he did not indicate whether it would be overseas.
The prep-to-pro option is one that everyone from SI All-American Player of the Year Jalen Green to fellow SI All-American Jalen Suggs has been transparent about entertaining.
That said, it’s not a new trend.
In 2008, Brandon Jennings became the first high school player to take the prep to overseas route when he opted out of his letter-of-intent to Arizona to play in Italy. In 2014, Emmanuel Mudiay opted to play in China over playing at SMU; in 2016, Terrance Ferguson chose playing in Australia over Arizona, and in 2017, LaVar Ball pulled LaMelo out of Chino Hills (California) High School and sent him to play in Lithuania.
Will the trend continue?
Hampton thinks so.
“I think you’ll see players go this route more and more,” Hampton said. “There are just so many pros that come with it, and players are noticing.”