UNLV basketball adds 7-foot-1 transfer from Pacific; roster set
In the shortened 2020-21 COVID season, Hampshire appeared in just 11 games for Pacific, making 10 of 15 field goal attempts.
7'-1" James Hampshire signs with UNLV
- Thread starter Rebel1986
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UNLV lands Pacific transfer James Hampshire
june 4, 2021 by tyler bischoff, posted in unlvKevin Kruger has added some more size to his roster, as James Hampshire is transferring to UNLV. At 7-foot-1 Hampshire will be the tallest player on the roster for next season.
Hampshire played the last two seasons at Pacific after starting his career at Casper College in Wyoming. Two seasons ago Hampshire played 15.2 minutes per game for the Tigers and averaged 3.7 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game.
But last season, Hampshire only appeared in 11 games, averaging just 9.5 minutes.
His ability to block shots made him intriguing to UNLV.
“He is an excellent athlete with great size and we are excited about his shot-blocking ability and the rim protection that he offers,” Kevin Kruger said in a team statement.
Hampshire blocked 3.4 shots per 40 minutes played in his two years at Pacific. For reference, Mbacke Diong averaged 2.0 blocks per 40 minutes in his UNLV career.
UNLV now has two defensive minded centers, as the Rebels also added the Southland Conference defensive player of the year in David Muoka.
The Rebels will have a lot of lineup versatility, pending which incoming transfers prove to be capable Mountain West players.
UNLV has three options to play point guard in Jordan McCabe, Marvin Coleman and Keshon Gilbert.
There are five options to play as an off-ball guard or on the wing in Bryce Hamilton, Michael Nuga, Justin Webster, Josh Baker and Donovan Williams.
At power forward, Kruger has three guys with Reece Brown, Royce Hamm and Victor Iwuakor.
And now the Rebels have two true centers in Hampshire and Muoka.
That brings the roster to 13 scholarship players, the maximum. So barring any sudden roster changes, this is Kevin Kruger’s team.
"Hampshire blocked 3.4 shots per 40 minutes played in his two years at Pacific. For reference, Mbacke Diong averaged 2.0 blocks per 40 minutes in his UNLV career."
For this reason I like this pickup. When we play a team with a tough Center or dominant Forward this is 5 fouls we can give without it being a disaster. Also, if he has to play significant minutes we will give up scoring but we won't give up both scoring and defense.
For this reason I like this pickup. When we play a team with a tough Center or dominant Forward this is 5 fouls we can give without it being a disaster. Also, if he has to play significant minutes we will give up scoring but we won't give up both scoring and defense.
