Hamilton brothers enjoying early-season hoops success
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
The early-season buzz involving Crenshaw freshman guard Isaac Hamilton has already reached Texas.
That’s where Longhorns freshman guard Jordan Hamilton heard his 15-year-old brother had “put on a show” Monday in the Cougars’ 91-50 victory over Lake Balboa Birmingham. In the third quarter, he scored 27 points and made six consecutive three-pointers.
“I got a chance to text him,” said Jordan Hamilton, a Compton Dominguez High product whose 8.5 scoring average is best among Longhorns reserves. “He was telling me what he did. I was excited for him because he shoots way better than me as a basketball player.”
Hamilton, who’s gearing up for tonight’s game against USC, isn’t just speaking hyperbole. He’s only shooting 17 of 40 from the field through five games. Nonetheless, there’s plenty of reasons for Hamilton to feel excited. Texas (5-0) has won its games by an average of 27.6 points and Hamilton is one of 10 players that averages double digits in minutes.
Even if stars such as, senior swingman Damion James (15.4 points and 10.2 rebounds per game), senior center Dexter Pittman (15.2 points) and freshman guard J’Covan Brown (12.8 points), carry much of the production, Hamilton says he doesn’t feel left out.
He describes his performance as a “work in progress,” but Hamilton also says, “I’m having a fun time while I’m here and I’m learning a lot.” Part of the learning curve has entailed conversations with James, who has taken Hamilton under his wing.
“We’re pretty cool with each other,” Hamilton says of his relationship with James. “He tells me to get in the right position. He’s somebody I look up to. With him being an older guy and being here for four years, he’s teaching me something ever day. He tells me never to take plays off. It’s nice because he was in my shoes at one point.”
Hamilton leans on such advice since he’s been through both on and off-court adjustments. On the court, Hamilton says “I’m learning a lot on defensive philosophies,” including improving his craft on help-side defense, defending the pick-and-roll and defending players off the dribble. On the court, he’s still adjusting to time away from home, which is why he acknowledged tonight’s game bodes more significance since his mom, Karen, and 27-year-old sister, Maya, plan to attend.
As Jordan Hamilton enjoys both the success and difficulties adjusting to the college game, he has been passing on advice to Isaac on how to do just that at the high school level.
“Everything is always a work in progress,” Jordan Hamilton said. “As long as he stays humble and does what he’s got to do to get better, he’ll do well.”
--Mark Medina