Dampier Jr. is averaging 10 points, nine rebounds and 1.5 blocks per contest while shooting 67.4 percent from the field this season. He has already made a name for himself in the Class of 2028.
Last week he compiled a career-high 18 points on 8 of 9 from the field in a 59-45 loss to Jackson Academy (Jackson). He has scored in double figures 18 times this season and has tallied double-digit rebounds 11 times while recording eight double-doubles.
Elite eighth grade prospect Erick Dampier Jr. is averaging 10 points, nine rebounds and 1.5 blocks per contest on varsity this season. (Photo: Brad Bridges)
His father, Erick Dampier Sr., is an assistant coach on the staff at Madison-Ridgeland Academy. Dampier played 16 seasons in the NBA and tallied 7,309 points and 7,005 rebounds. He averaged career highs of 12.3 points and 12.0 rebounds per contest while playing for Golden State in 2003-04.
During his playing career, Dampier Sr. was listed at 6-11, 265 pounds. That means Dampier Jr. may not be done growing and has plenty of room to fill out his body before the end of his high school basketball career.
Although middle school rankings are often premature, Dampier is
listed as a top five prospect in the Class of 2028 by multiple online sources.
Following an impressive
eighth grade season playing for one of the top teams in the Magnolia
State, the sky is the limit for the 14-year old standout with a 7-foot
wingspan.
Erick Dampier Jr. sits on the bench next his father, who is an assistant coach at Madison-Ridgeland Academy. (Photo: Brad Bridges)
Dampier Jr. is in the right place for development as he plays for the nation's second active winningest head coach in Richard Duease, who has a career record of 1,237-437.
Duease also accumulated a record of 592-271 while coaching the girls basketball team from 1975 through 2002.
Dampier Jr. is expected to take the floor for Alabama Fusion during the club basketball season.
Erick Dampier Jr. is considered one of the top prospects in the Class of 2028. (Photo: Brad Bridges)
Madison-Ridgeland Academy coach Richard Duease is approaching 1,250 wins. (Photo: Brad Bridges)
