Teen sensation RJ Hampton has forgone his US college eligibility to sign with the New Zealand Breakers in a coup for the NBL.
The 18-year-old is the No.2 ranked point guard in the 2019 ESPN 100 Rankings and the fifth-highest ranked prospect overall in the 2020 NBA draft.
Hampton turned his back on offers from some of the most prestigious college basketball programs in the US including Duke, Kansas and Kentucky universities to join the NBL's Next Stars program
"My dream has never been to play college basketball," Hampton told ESPN.
"My dream has always been to get to the next level and play in the NBA.
"I think (the NBL) was the best route for me - to live like a pro and to play with grown men and not have to juggle books and basketball, and just focus on my main goal."
From Little Elm High School in Texas, 196cm Hampton averaged 30.3 points, 8.0 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game as a sophomore and was a member of USA Basketball's 2018 U17 FIBA World Cup Team.
The Next Stars program was introduced last season following the drafting of Terrance Ferguson by NBA team Oklahoma City Thunder after he elected not to go to college, instead spending the 2016/17 NBL season with the Adelaide 36ers straight out of high school.
Brian Bowen Jnr became the first NBL Next Star when he played for the Sydney Kings last season and will be eligible for next month's NBA Draft.
Australian superstar Andrew Bogut recently put the spotlight on the NBL when he returned to play for the Sydney Kings last season before re-joining Golden State's for their NBA finals campaign.
Many NBA scouts will also be keeping a close eye on Hampton.
Breakers boss Matt Walsh said the club was thrilled to sign the teen.
"To secure a player of his talent is a tremendous endorsement of our program and a coup for our club," Walsh said.
"We think RJ will have an important role to play as we look to compete for a championship and give him a great taste of what is a world class league and provide an ideal platform for his NBA journey."
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