At the beginning of each new year, Phenom Hoops works to assemble a series of articles centered around unsigned senior prospects. Last season, over one hundred players from North Carolina went on to play at the Division I, II, III or NAIA levels, and that number looks likely to continue increasing with the current senior class. Typically, we take a closer look at guys who are overlooked and underrated, but today’s edition will highlight Christian Hampton of Northwest Guilford and Team CP3.
At this point, everyone within North Carolina knows about Hampton and his incredibly exciting two-way game. Few players have been at his level over the past two or three seasons but his recruitment remains quite perplexing. Hampton truly possesses all the tools, both physically and in terms of skill, to be an absolute steal at a variety of programs at the Division I level. He’s smart, quick, and one of the most explosive players across the entire state. Hampton possesses the ability to destroy opponents on defense, force turnovers, and then immediately turn them into points on the other end. His “knock” has been his three-point consistency but he’s shot the ball increasingly well over the last calendar year. Additionally, Hampton is an exceptional leader through communication and by example, which absolutely makes him a guy that all types of schools should covet.
Hampton shined at our NC Top 80 Camp earlier this year, when we stated: “Continuing onto a player that has a chance to be a major breakout candidate throughout the coming months, Christian Hampton. He’s a strong, smart, athletic point guard prospect that is capable of dominating on defense while controlling the offensive action. Hampton is a leader by example that reliably communicates on both ends of the floor. His shooting has continually improved throughout the last year and looks likely to continue trending upward. That being said, attacking the basket with relentlessness, finishing through contact, and playing above the rim (especially in transition) will always be his main scoring avenue. Next in his development process is working on his ability to move without the ball, as it would make him an even more useful off-ball cutter. Coach Gray on Hampton: “Christian is a crazy good athlete that simply gets better every year. Today, he showed that he could shoot the three-pointer, midrange, and finish over the top at the rim. He creates for himself and others with ease and proved to be a really good defender while accepting the challenge to guard the other team’s best player throughout the day. His opportunity lies with his IQ and becoming a student of the game.” Hampton has that “it” factor and consistently brings the full arsenal on both sides of the ball, so it’ll be exciting to see how many more Division I programs get involved going forward.”
He currently holds offers from App State, Catawba, and Mount Olive, which is somewhat shocking given his pure dominance over for the last few years. Hampton is exactly the type of player and person that all types of programs should want to build around. Only time will tell if he will get recruited on his appropriate level.