Ryan Hampton

[bthaunert]

Great pick up. On KSR yesterday they talked about how Hampton's dad shared info about the visit. Hampton and his family were in a room with Pope and a few others and they turned the lights down and watched a highlight video about Kentucky basketball. The lights then come on and Mo Williams walked in the room and closed the deal.

[WeWant9]

Great pick up. On KSR yesterday they talked about how Hampton's dad shared info about the visit. Hampton and his family were in a room with Pope and a few others and they turned the lights down and watched a highlight video about Kentucky basketball. The lights then come on and Mo Williams walked in the room and closed the deal.

Just shows how important it is to have the right assistants. Nothing against Brooks or Hart, but there seemed to be some type of disconnect between them, Pope, and bringing guys to UK. Probably no coincidence that Mo joins the staff, and Pope lands two of his biggest recruits (Milan M and Hampton) in his career.

[KentuckyWild2020]

In one (recruiting) sense, yes, but in the eyes of intelligent fans, no. Not yet. Ultimately he has to win. And win BIG! A continuation of the past couple of years won't work for long. It's going on 12 years since the last Final Four and 15 since the last national title...there needs to be marked improvement. Cal winning nothing but recruiting battles is what put us in this situation, now we need someone who can actually coach.... and in that regard, the monkey is still sitting right between Mark Pope's should blades.

If he can't win he has to GO without a doubt but RECRUITING and having players is a big part of that, it's the first step. I can't ever remember any team any sport that's ever won a championship without great players.

Cal ticked me off with all those 50 plus draft picks and nothing to show for. In reality, Cal could actually be one of the biggest coaching failures all time with all that talent and very little to nothing to show for, kind of insane to be honest..

[WildcatRick]

Its also great to hear that Hampton immediately started recruiting. Before he even left campus he and Mo did a zoom call with Marcus Spears Jr.

Anytime you pull in the #1 player at his position its bigger than his overall ranking.

One of the YouTube channels said they attended a camp or tourney with most of the top 10 players and Hampton was the best there. Said he gets to the basket with ease and finishes strong.

Watch the video of Hampton playing 1 on 1 with Mikel Brown.

[Trueblujr]

Just saw today where he dropped like 15 spots in the rankings down to a 4 star and the number 21 overall player. Seriously, what do these services have against Kentucky and recruits who commit here? this seems to happen more often than not these days. It's ridiculous. Did 15 players really pass him up? These guys have been getting evaluated since grade school, I highly doubt that many guys passed him up.

[GOCAT15]

Just saw today where he dropped like 15 spots in the rankings down to a 4 star and the number 21 overall player. Seriously, what do these services have against Kentucky and recruits who commit here? this seems to happen more often than not these days. It's ridiculous. Did 15 players really pass him up? These guys have been getting evaluated since grade school, I highly doubt that many guys passed him up.

All we can hope is that it becomes motivation for him.

[WeWant9]

I do not know much on him. 15 spots is a large drop, but I do not put much stock in these rankings- especially after they commit to UK. Does anyone think he would've dropped 15 spots if he committed to duke?

[bucsrule8872]

If we don’t get Kusturica (doesn’t look good), then Pope should encourage Hampton to reclass.

On KSR, they were talking about how we really have a hole on the wing opposite Momcilovic. They said they felt good about the starting guards (Diallo/Wilkins) and Moreno at the 5, but we need someone to go with Momcilovic at forward. They didn’t sound too confident in N’Diaye or McBride, Kam is still in a boot, and Hawthorne doesn’t seem ready. They sounded like they were hoping Kusturica was the answer, but he isn’t likely coming. Could Hampton be the answer? He has been rumored to be reclassifying, then his parents shut that down, but a lot of kids change their minds after Peach Jam (which is happening next week), so maybe he could come in?

I feel like we have four really strong starters, but the fifth spot is iffy, especially if Kam is hurt. I’m hoping at least one of McBride, N’Diaye, and Hawthorne will step up and be the fifth starter, but the KSR guys aren’t sounding too encouraging on that front.

[WeWant9]

Is Hampton one of those guys that if he reclasses, he would be in his original class? Does he have the game and body to skip a year of HS/AAU and jump into the meatgrinder of UK basketball? My gut tells me if a diverse trio of McBride, N'Diaye, and Hawthorne aren't getting it done right now, neither will a reclass freshman.

The good news is that we are just in early July. Plenty of time for Kam to rest and heal up, and hopefully enough time for those three to get acclimated and ready for the system (or at least 1 or 2 take the next step).

[Matt Dillon]

Is Hampton one of those guys that if he reclasses, he would be in his original class? Does he have the game and body to skip a year of HS/AAU and jump into the meatgrinder of UK basketball? My gut tells me if a diverse trio of McBride, N'Diaye, and Hawthorne aren't getting it done right now, neither will a reclass freshman.

I was just thinking the same thing.