Hoops

Breakers "Global News Announcement" - Signed RJ Hamptom

Pretty sure Bowen's mum only came out here to visit at Christmas as the commentators made a big deal of her being at that Kings home game around Christmas time.

No one wants to play in Cairns

Food for thought, I wasn't talking about Bowen, I was talking about the "program" which comprised of exactly one player, with no transparency on how that one player ended up on one of the most stacked teams in the comp while a team like Cairns struggled to put a competitive team on the floor. That is a failure.

Zodiac, it isn't a conspiracy theory, its just lack of transparency. Why is he at the Breakers then? Were other clubs given the option to take him instead? Again, Cairns could REALLY use him.

The Breakers didn't pay anything to get him enough of your conspiracy theory nonsense.

I never doubted that they are claiming he's part of the Next Stars program. Its in their best interests to say that he is to show off what a success their program is (despite the obvious fact that last year, it was a dismal failure).

What I'm doubtful of, is that they've stuck to the conditions that they claim to have applied to the Next Stars program. I think its unlikely.

I think the more likely explanation is that the Breakers paid well over the 100k to get him. The secrecy around the program means this will likely never be confirmed though.

Cram, you should read things first before making bold assumptions.

US teen sensation RJ Hampton will join the New Zealand Breakers as part of the NBL Next Stars program.

You're making an assumption that because they've been referring to him as a "Next Star" that all of those above conditions apply. The lack of transparency in this "program" suggests that's a bold assumption.

Who cares what American commentators say they wouldn't know anything about the NBL?

It's $100K AUD flat.

The Australian National Basketball League is offering “Next stars” contracts that guarantee about $78,000 U.S. gross. The NBA’s minor league affiliate is offering Select Contracts with a $125,000 salary.

"I understand that the NBL pays part and the club pays part. May be $500k though if the shoe deal comes with it (in the same way we look at Mudiay in China)."

Why do people just make shit up, then say "I understand" when they clearly have no fucking clue???
The ultimate irony being that they refuse to believe what has already been clearly explained in the thread, because they assume that everybody else is also talking out their ass.

Next Stars are paid for by the league. It is a flat $100k.
Although in the context it was announced, I was never sure if it was AUD or USD.
The club pays nothing.
However, part of the attraction is that having turned pro, they are now free to accept endorsements and sponsorships.
The league helps with the recruitment, but ultimately the kids and clubs get to choose each other.

One thing I have never been 100% clear on is if a "local" business wants to sponsor a player directly, whether that counts against the soft cap or how that would work for a Next Star. But certainly global endorsements, from apparel brands would be open slather.
Keep in mind that these companies are extremely eager to get these hot prospect kids signed up early.

And this is all predicated on him being a Next Star. It's possible he was signed as an import.

All those scouts at Breaker games means Rob Loe has a chance of forming the 4th component of the "Quad-Dirk".

RJ Hampton has a similar body shape to Dante Exum; long and wiry and deceptively agile. RJ appears to have a quicker release on his jumpshot and maybe slightly quicker foot speed.

Thank goodness he went to NZ and not Adelaide. Can you imagine? They'd try to hold whatever team drafts him hostage then you'd have the deluded supporters all claiming that Joey made him a top 5 pick.. Joey develops players.. He would be nothing without Joey.. Joey found him..

It is exciting for the league. More NBA scouts, more eyes on us. All positives.

I'm glad he hasn't gone to Adelaide, they are stacked in the backcourt anyway.

“I'm glad he hasn't gone to Adelaide, they are stacked in the backcourt anyway.”

Warmest regards
Mrs Teys

Comedy gold HW.

Apparently he turned down an offer of $1mil in china

"I wonder if he has googled New Zealand, could be in for a shock"

Maybe if he was going to a place other than Auckland. Auckland is just like any other major city of the world these days albeit smaller (and probably a lot more expensive).

If he was going to Invercargill to play for the Southland Sharks I would agree with you though.

Can imagine the bitching on here if he went to Sydney or Perth lol.
I'm glad he hasn't gone to Adelaide, they are stacked in the backcourt anyway.

It seems pretty certain that Adam Silver/NBA will be lowering the NBA age limit, so this season could easily be the last that the 'next stars' program is even an option. If you combine that with G-League salaries increasing, it's probably a good idea for the NBL to go all in while they still can.

I wonder how many of these players the league could support? There could be interest from other high school kids after this news.

Wasn't the Next Stars program going to be all players getting 100k and then the league assigning them to a team? That doesn't look like what this is. They might be calling it "Next Stars" but if the Breakers are paying him top import money, he's just a regular import.

Again, there is a distinct lack of transparency on this "program".

Great signing for the Breakers and the NBL, hopefully he succeeds and still goes top 5 in the NBA draft so he won't be the first 5 star recruit heading to the league.

Ferguson wasn't a Next Stars player, Bowen was the first.

Yeah lets keep the standard of the league shit so teams like hawks and cairns can stick around a little longer

Sorry just saw the other comments regarding the payments

Yeah I get that but from the way Mike was talking that would be his salary as he then went on to say his shoe deal, sponsorship would be on top of that. Would NZ be paying him as the league is paying his salary or is the 100k an incentive to come out here then topped up with his wage?

I understand that the NBL pays part and the club pays part. May be $500k though if the shoe deal comes with it (in the same way we look at Mudiay in China).

The question now is what role he'll have. I presume he'll start at Point - there's no way we're hiring another point guard to add to Ili and Weeks. We'll get two imports (can't see us having 3 now); one at the 5 spot and one presumably on the wing to move Abercrombie to the bench. Then there's the question of the last local - rumours it could be Ethan Rusbatch, but is Jack Salt still in the mix?

Import* / Loe
Delany / Ngatai / ???
Import* / Abercrombie
Webster / Weeks / ???
Hampton* / Ili

"Yeah I wonder what he would be paid, Mike Schmitz saying in an interview he understands he could be getting paid 500K I was like LOL!! Bullshit"

$500k wouldn't be far of the mark to be honest.

I don't think he would come here for a budget $150k type deal all up. He can easily command $500k given his marketability etc.

"if i recall correctly, is a flat $100KAUD (whatever that translates to in NZD)."

About $105k NZD.

or in Auckland currency, about 2 weeks rent, 1 meal out and petrol for a 30km round trip ;)

"Yeah I wonder what he would be paid, Mike Schmitz saying in an interview he understands he could be getting paid 500K I was like LOL!! Bullshit"

He could actually be on close to that by the time you include the next stars payment, a payment from NZ and then sponsorships in the deal. Plus a house to live in, car, etc. I think Ferguson was on like over $400k from memory?

Thank goodness he went to NZ and not Adelaide. Can you imagine? They'd try to hold whatever team drafts him hostage then you'd have the deluded supporters all claiming that Joey made him a top 5 pick.. Joey develops players.. He would be nothing without Joey.. Joey found him.. It is exciting for the league.

Yeah I wonder what he would be paid, Mike Schmitz saying in an interview he understands he could be getting paid 500K I was like LOL!! Bullshit

Yep it is part of the Next Stars program. The league will pay his salary which, if i recall correctly, is a flat $100KAUD (whatever that translates to in NZD).

If he is part of the Next Stars "program", it shows that, yet again, there will be very little transparency in that next season.

That was a tremendous video, really seemed like a level headed young man and good to see them give him and the league their props

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-WtFYIidyUM

When are they changing the name nz breakers to Auckland breakers?
Wellington Saints should be the next team in...

ESPN player announcement and it involves NBL? Nice exposure.

Loving the spelling in topic titles of late.

Do you think he'll enjoy playing in front of 2000 people in the Gong & Cairns? The American dream if there ever was one.

Next Stars players have their contracts paid for by the NBL and don't count as either an import or as a rostered player.

The next stars program is outside of the salary cap right? So this is basically a 4th import?

Do the NBL help pay his wages? I feel like I've heard that's been the case with the previous two guys.

Either way, it sure sounds like NZ will be expecting him to be their best player. A great option for the kid considering Ferguson went in the 1st round and likely Bowen too, and they weren't exactly studs here.

"Haven't followed previous Hampton chatter. Cool he’s coming here, but why not college? Can’t obtain the grades?"

He had super high grades, could have gone to any college. Just wanted to turn pro and felt this was best for him.

Haven’t followed previous Hampton chatter. Cool he’s coming here, but why not college? Can’t obtain the grades?

"Global" might be stretching it a little, but this is definitely a HUGE signing.

People that follow this kind of thing have been hanging out waiting for this guy to commit to a College for next year, instead he is coming to NZ.

I don't know if he is coming under the Next Stars program, but this is precisely what it was set up to achieve. No, he won't perform at the level of a prime import, but he's not expected to. As a "Next Star" this is as good as it gets.

Look, jury is still out on whether this program will work. If he's the only one to come this season, then it starts to look like it needs a retune. But for the moment it looks like we're off to a good start.

On the other hand, if he's not a Next Star, just a regular import, then yes he will be a boy amongst men. But even so, not every team can fit 3 prime imports, so as a 3rd import in lieu of a local, he could still be good value.

And either way, this certainly keeps our league on the map.

Will he start for the Breakers?

If this is the caliber of next stars coming this upcoming season then I'm excited to see him and others

Hampton is a big step up from Ferguson and Bowen. Both of those guys were really athletic, but also super raw. Even still they were both able to be serviceable role players.

Hampton looks like he's ready to contribute right away and has skills that will translate immediately.

I'm so excited that I am jitzing in my pants,

So therefore anybody that doesn't agree with me is obviously a moron.

"eh, Ferguson and Bowen were nothing special, this will be another overhyped signing"

Lmao, this is way bigger than those 2

If they do get Hampton as a next star signing being so highly rated in the U.S then you would expect alot more from him than Ferguson or Bowen.
Great for the Breakers and NBL.

Some of you don't have a clue how good this guy is. He could legit go #1 in 2020

eh, Ferguson and Bowen were nothing special, this will be another overhyped signing

Confirmed. Massive news

Just watching him on get up on ESPN now.