By ADAM ZAGORIA
Ashton Hagans is returning to Kentucky for his sophomore season and it could have a domino effect on R.J. Hampton.
Hampton is considering reclassifying into 2019 and is weighing four schools — Duke, Kentucky, Kansas and Memphis. He wants the ball in his hands from Day One.
“Even if we go anywhere in 2019, it’s going to depend on the roster,” Rod Hampton told me on Saturday at the USA Basketball Junior National Team mini-camp in Bloomington, Minn. “We’re not going to take a year to sit and learn. We want to play, we want to put the ball in our hands, we want to go to work.”
Kentucky will now have three guards with Hagans, Tyrese Maxey and Immanuel Quickley and that could prove too crowded a backcourt for the 6-foot-5 Little Elm, Texas native. Tre Jones is also returning to Duke which could impact Hampton.
Hagans is a projected second-round pick, per ESPN.com, while teammates P.J. Washington, Keldon Johnson and Tyler Herro are all projected first-rounders. Washington declared for the draft earlier Tuesday.
“We had a great season this year but I want more,” Hagans said in a statement. “I know I’ve only scratched the surface with my game and there’s so much more I want to accomplish at Kentucky. Coach Cal and the staff have challenged me since day one, and I know with another season at UK we can chase some special things with the same mindset. I can’t wait to get back to work with my brothers.”
Hagans led the Wildcats in assists (160) and steals (61) as a freshman while starting in 30 of 37 games.
“I had a great meeting with Ashton,” UK head coach John Calipari said. “He had a wonderful season but he’s not satisfied. He said his desire was to come back and continue to grow and do some special things at Kentucky. That’s all I needed to hear. He’s ready for the challenge, and I’m all in with him.”
Photo: 247Sports.com
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