One of the top overall prospects in the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC) just a year ago was then Mesa Junior College 7-foot-1 sophomore post James Hampshire. Regarded as one of the top returning prospects in the conference last season, Hampshire instead decided to leave the Mesa program and sit the year out due to personal issues. He has now resurfaced and will look to pick up his sophomore season at Casper Junior College in Wyoming.
It is still unclear as to what was bothering Hampshire and forced him to sit out last season, but after spending a year working and thinking things over in the woods of Colorado, Hampshire is now back to pick up his junior college career in hopes of landing a college program. And if Hampshire's recent performance while playing for his new college program, Casper Junior College, is any indication, Hampshire looks to be just fine. In fact, as long as Hampshire can pick up his academics and qualify academically, he is a sure-fire high-major division-I prospect with loads of potential for the future.
Hampshire is a very long and athletic post player with excellent energy on the floor. Hampshire is always moving, whether on the floor or not, and has an excellent overall motor with a very live body. He is much more attractive these days as well, since he has added 15 - 20 pounds to his once very thin frame, and has much more physical upper body strength now. He runs the floor very hard and is an excellent finisher in transition for his size, while also being a very strong finisher around the basket.
Hampshire has what it takes to become one of the top junior college recruiting targets in the country this up-and-coming junior college season, so it will be very interesting to continue to watch his progress, as well as his overall college recruitment.
Currently, Hamsphire has received offers from Washington State, UC-Santa Barbara and Kent State, with many more offers for himself on the horizon.
I will continue to follow Hampshire's progress as a college prospect and bring you any recruiting updates as they continue to develop.
Arizona Hoop Review Scouting Report: Hampshire is a very long and athletic post player with excellent energy on the floor. Hampshire is always moving, whether on the floor or not, and has an excellent overall motor with a very live body. He runs the floor hard and is an excellent finisher in transition for his size. He has a very long frame which allows him to make plays most post player cannot. He is a strong finisher inside the paint, and around the painted area of the floor - whether around or over defenders. He is a good low-post scorer but is still developing his low-post skills. He has good low-post footwork though and good hands and feet. He has a good jump hook. An active rebounder that rebounds outside of his area. An excellent shotblocker that changes or alters shots and keeps balls in play. Hampshire has excellent potential for the future and upside as a player. Could see high-major recruitment as a result of his tremendous upside and rare physical size and length.
