Frogs in the hunt for 5* guard RJ Hampton

Corey Barker has been doing work for the Horned Frogs on the recruiting trail; the third year assistant coach has been a major part of the turnaround in Fort Worth. Barker might get his biggest win yet, for TCU, if he can bring five star guard R.J. Hampton to Fort Worth - something that may indeed happen after the Little Elm star listed the Frogs in his top five:

Hampton is an unquestioned star - the 6’4”, 170 pound class of 2020 recruit is the country’s number one combo guard, second highest-rated player in Texas, and a top ten player in the country. A member of USA Basketball’s gold medal-winning teams in both 2017 and 2018, Hampton is currently lighting up the hardwood for the Lobos, as a gifted scorer and excellent athlete overall. There is a lot he can do on the basketball court, and seems to answer every concern raised about his game. While his outside shooting was once considered a weakness, he has been really good from behind the arc in 2019 - including a nine three pointer game earlier this week.

With the ability to penetrate the lane and finish at the rim, Hampton has schools in hot pursuit. The fact that he has been great at the highest levels of International and AAU Basketball doesn’t hurt, either. A versatile player who has the ability to play - and defend - multiple positions, Hampton would fit nicely in Jamie Dixon’s offense, and be a great defender as well. Pairing him with incoming freshmen Diante Smith and PJ Fuller would be a nightmare for Big 12 opponents. And, best of all, he is ready to come in and COMPETE for playing time.

Obviously, the lure of blue-blood programs like Kentucky, Kansas, and Duke is hard to compete with, and Memphis is another program that is thought highly of by young recruits - especially with Penny Hardaway at the helm. But RJ has connected with the Horned Frogs, especially Coach Barker, and it would be unwise to rule them out. “They have been an up-and-coming program these last couple years. They have told me they want me to come in and help them shock the world. I’m not opposed to staying in Texas and the relationship I have with assistant coach, Corey Barker, is really good. Coach Barker has to be one of the hardest working recruiters in the country and he is trying to get it done. Coach Dixon lets his guards play. TCU has been rising since he’s gotten there and again it’s Big 12 basketball.”

Though Hampton is considering reclassifying for 2019 - something that TCU could work out due to their current scholarship situation - it’s more likely he would remaining a 2020 signing. It’s certainly something to watch, and a great sign of things to come to see the Horned Frogs competing for the best players against the best programs.