R. J. Hampton
A high-flying guard who bypassed college basketball's traditional route, betting on himself in a professional journey that has spanned continents.
Born 2001 (age 25)·American basketball player·Birthday: February 7·Generation Z
Biography
R.J. Hampton was a Texas high school sensation, a blur of speed and athleticism who seemed destined for a one-and-done college career. In a move that signaled a shifting landscape, he pivoted, choosing to forgo the NCAA altogether to train professionally and play in New Zealand's National Basketball League. This bold gamble made him a pioneer in the 'professional path' movement for elite teens. Drafted in the first round by the Milwaukee Bucks, his early NBA years were defined by flashes of his explosive potential as he worked to refine his game within a role. His subsequent journey through the league and, later, to teams in China, illustrates the global and often unpredictable nature of a modern basketball career. Hampton's story is one of early audacity, adapting to different systems, and continuing to pursue his professional dream on an international stage.
Generation Z
1997–2012
Born into smartphones, social media, and school shootings. The most diverse generation in history. Pragmatic about money, fluid about identity, anxious about the climate. They do not remember a world before the internet.
R. was born in 2001, placing them squarely in the Generation Z. The events that shaped this generation — social media, climate anxiety, and a pandemic — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When R. Was Born
The biggest hits of 2001
#1 Movie
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Best Picture
A Beautiful Mind
#1 TV Show
Survivor
R.'s Life & Times
The world at every milestone
2001Born
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2006Started school
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2014Became a teenager
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2017Could drive
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2019Could vote
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2022Turned 21
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 25 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Named a McDonald's All-American in 2019 as one of the top high school players in the country.
- Selected in the first round (24th overall) of the 2020 NBA Draft by the Milwaukee Bucks.
- Played a role for the Denver Nuggets during their 2023 NBA Championship season, appearing in regular season games.
Did You Know?
He was a teammate of LaMelo Ball while playing for the Illawarra Hawks in New Zealand's NBL.
In high school, he once scored 40 points in a single half during a playoff game.
He committed to play college basketball for the University of Kansas before deciding to turn professional overseas.
“I chose to go pro in New Zealand to control my own development.”
