James Hamilton, a 6-foot-4 sophomore from Fargo (ND.) South, was a unanimous Eastern Dakota Conference selection this past season. Hamilton is currently a member of the Howard Pulley 16-and-under AAU team.
The Gopher Report recently caught up with Hamilton after practice with Howard Pulley to learn the more about his junior season, early recruitment and expectations for his senior campaign.
The Gopher Report: You are getting ready for a big AAU spring and summer. What are you hoping to show the college coaches?
James Hamilton: That I’m a good defender. Good rebounder and all-around player that can score the ball and do a lot of other things. I’m just hoping that I get the exposure that I get.
The Gopher Report: You play in North Dakota where you are probably not going to get as many coaches at a regular season game than you are at an AAU contest. Is that something that you have realized or know that you are going to see a lot of coaches who might not see you in a high school game?
James Hamilton: Yes, I am focused more on AAU. I’ve got to take it seriously and every time I step onto the court, I got to go hard.
The Gopher Report: How about your season this year? How pleased were you with how well you guys played this year?
James Hamilton: Individually, I did pretty good, but as team, we didn’t work as a team, but I feel that next year, we are going to have all our starters back expect for one player and I feel that we’re going to do really good this upcoming year.
The Gopher Report: Is that kind of a motivating factor, not getting as far as you would have liked, that you want to have a big upcoming year?
James Hamilton: Yes, sir. Junior year, I’m going to step up.
The Gopher Report: You are still so young, being only a sophomore, but are you starting to hear from some schools already?
James Hamilton: A little bit. NDSU talked to me a little bit and UND.
The Gopher Report: What is it going to mean to have the opportunity to play Division I basketball?
James Hamilton: It would mean the world. I’ve always want to play Division I since I was younger. My dad, he played a lot of basketball, too and he would love for me to go D1, too. It would be cool.
The Gopher Report: Did you dad play above high school?
James Hamilton: No, just high school.
The Gopher Report: Is that where you got the love of the game from?
James Hamilton: Yes, sir and my whole family, too. Just a basketball family, really.
The Gopher Report: Anyone in the family play at the collegiate level?
James Hamilton: I’m the oldest.
The Gopher Report: What is it about basketball that you like so much?
James Hamilton: I just have a passion and a love for it. Just like stepping on the court is the feeling of it.
The Gopher Report: What do you like to do away from the basketball court?
James Hamilton: Training. I just like training. I’m a gym rat, so that’s what I like to do. Just basketball. I like to hang out with my family and hang out with friends.
The Gopher Report: You have to make a long trip to get to Howard Pulley practice. You are showing how much you want this to be a part of your future, right?
James Hamilton: Yes, sir. I want to get the exposure I want and hopefully get some offers from what I do.
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