Texas Basketball Recruiting: 2020 G R.J. Hampton impacted by Kansas game?

The key showdown that highlights the Jan. 14 slate of Big 12 action could have a big impact on the 2020 Texas basketball recruiting class.

The 2020 Texas basketball recruiting class is like most in the nation as of Jan. 14, still without its first commit. The Oklahoma State Cowboys are the only program in the Big 12 that has a 2020 commit thus far in the recruiting cycle. But, it should only be a matter of time before the 2020 Texas basketball recruiting class adds its first commit to the group.

One of the key targets for the 2020 Texas basketball recruiting class is a Little Elm, TX, native and the nation’s top combo guard R.J. Hampton. Neither of the past two Texas basketball recruiting classes locked up a prospect as highly touted as Hampton. Five-star hometown center Will Baker was a very highly rated commit and signee for the 2020 Texas basketball recruiting class. But, even Baker doesn’t have the same classification and national prominence of Hampton.

Hampton is rated as the nation’s top combo guard, top prospect out of the state of Texas, and 5th best prospect overall. He already holds more than 15 offers, but seems to be narrowing down his search way before the end of this recruiting cycle. The highlight of his offer sheets includes the Kansas Jayhawks, Kentucky Wildcats, Duke Blue Devils, UCLA Bruins, Texas Longhorns, and Florida Gators.

According to the 247Sports Crystal Ball Predictions, Hampton is favored to land with Duke. Kansas and Kentucky both still have a good shot to nab him, but the 2020 Texas basketball recruiting class seems to be falling behind. But, Texas and Kansas do have the two best shots at landing the commitment from Hampton among all the Big 12 programs that offered him.

There’s no indication yet as to exactly when Hampton will announce his commitment decision. He still has a good while before even the 2019 Early Signing Period arrives. What’s working well for him with the Little Elm High School basketball program this season is a set of performances that could have his recruitment trending up even higher.

Hampton is standing out during his junior season with Little Elm High School, and it’s drawing even more interest from the nation’s best blue blood hoops programs. The fact that he’s getting so much attention from Duke, Kentucky, Kansas, and Texas is a testament to the kind of hype his talent is generating.

Moreover, Hampton is sure to be watching the meeting between two of his bigger suitors, the Horns and Jayhawks. Texas is battling Kansas in primetime on “Big Monday” on Jan. 14. This showdown between the Horns and Jayhawks is set in front of a national audience televised on ESPN. It is also taking place in one of college basketball’s legendary venues, Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence.

If there is something the Horns can to to help the chances of the 2020 Texas basketball recruiting class adding Hampton’s commitment, beating Kansas on Jan. 14 on the road is a good start. Head coach Shaka Smart would get his team’s confidence back to break a two-game losing streak in Big 12 play and could get a recruiting pitch to Hampton over Kansas head coach Bill Self.

Big Monday on ESPN has a nice slate of two games that features Texas taking on Kansas and Oklahoma State battling the Baylor Bears. There should be plenty of eyes on this conference’s slate of action on Jan. 14, including the key in-state Horns prospect Hampton.