Kimani Hamilton getting ready to prove four-star talent at Mississippi State
CLINTON, Miss. (BVM) 鈥� Kimani Hamilton couldn鈥檛 have capped his career at Clinton High School much better this past winter. Soon, he will get ready to head to Starkville and join the Mississippi State Bulldogs, the same program his dad, Tang, starred for over two decades ago.
鈥淢y dad played at Mississippi State as well as in the NBA and overseas,鈥� Kimani said. 鈥淚鈥檝e learned so much from him including how to connect with people on the court, as well as fundamentals and a foundation that could only come from someone who has walked a similar path before.鈥�
Kimani had plenty of offers to consider. Ole Miss and Creighton were a couple of the schools he was thinking about, as was Alabama, which made his final two. Ultimately, the Bulldogs were able to set themselves apart.
1000% committed hailstate馃惗
— MANI (@Mani5xx)
鈥淢ississippi State has a great program and it felt more like home,鈥� Kimani noted.
Making his decision even more special is that Kimani got to announce it live on CBS Sports HQ, with his family by his side.
鈥淚t was real cool to have the opportunity to announce it on CBS Sports,鈥� Kimani said. 鈥淲hen I received the text asking if I would like to commit on CBS Sports live, after speaking to my family, I wasn鈥檛 hesitant to reply 鈥榶es.鈥欌��
With his commitment locked up, Kimani focused on producing a tremendous senior season for Clinton, which he did. However, once the season ended, some adversity came about.聽
After Mississippi State was bounced from the NIT in mid-March, the Bulldogs decided to part ways with seven-year head coach Ben Howland. The long-time coach finished 18-16 in his final season in Starkville, compiling a 134-98 record overall, but losing more than 50% of his contests against SEC opponents. Making the NCAA Tournament just once in his tenure, Mississippi State decided to move on, creating a tricky time for any current players or recruits.
However, just days later, Mississippi State found its new leader: former New Mexico State head coach Chris Jans. Jans is a longtime college coach who had plenty of success with the Aggies. This year, he led New Mexico State to a 27-7 record which included an NCAA Tournament appearance and first-round upset over UConn.
Jans鈥� first order of business in Starkville was to retain what is a solid incoming 2022 class including Hamilton, fellow four-star Riley Kugel and the nation鈥檚 No. 1 JUCO prospect, Jaykwon Walton.
While Kugel and Walton have moved on to explore other options, Hamilton remains committed to the Bulldogs, and believes Mississippi State is still the best place to help him accomplish his future goals in the game of basketball.
鈥淚 feel like I can bring a lot to the program with hard work and dedication of getting to the NCAA Tournament, and having the opportunity to play for a national championship,鈥� Kimani said. 鈥淚鈥檝e also dreamed of playing in the NBA since I was a child. Hopefully I鈥檓 closer to making this dream a reality.鈥�
Kimani has a bright future ahead, but his basketball resume is already highly impressive. Ever since his dad began teaching him how to play at 4 years old, it seemed he would be destined for a similar career path.
Growing up, the 6-foot-8 forward played for several clubs. However, it was his time with Jackson Pride Elite Basketball, and winning a championship with the program, that cemented his passion for the sport.聽
As Kimani continued to study the games of NBA superstars Kevin Durant and Kawhi Leonard, his skills continued to improve. The talent and passion carried right over into his time with Clinton.
Playing on the school鈥檚 JV squad as a freshman, Kimani impressed as he led his team to a perfect record.
鈥淭he first season at Clinton I was on JV and we went 15-0,鈥� Kimani said. 鈥淚t was a great experience.鈥�
However, moving up to the varsity level as a sophomore was a big change initially for the forward.
鈥淪ophomore year there were growing pains,鈥� Kimani admitted. 鈥淭he game at the varsity level is faster.鈥�
Unfortunately, the season would also end with a heartbreaking one-point loss in the playoffs. Yet, the foundation was set for Clinton going forward, and the future looked bright with Kimani only set to improve.
During the offseason in 2020, Kimani continued to develop, both physically and mentally. He took a huge step forward during his junior season, averaging over 16 points, eight rebounds and 2.4 blocks. He was even better in the postseason, scoring nearly 20 points per contest. By the end of it, Clinton had become Mississippi High School Activities Association (MHSAA) Class 6A state champions.
鈥淭he development my junior season included getting bigger, stronger and faster,鈥� Kimani said. 鈥淢y goal was to win a championship my junior year and I was able to do that. It was great because I knew that all of the hard work that I put in paid off.鈥�
Coming off a state title, Kimani continued his AAU career playing with Team Thad. Over the summer, he continued to get noticed even more.
鈥淭he program has helped tremendously by putting me on the circuit,鈥� Kimani mentioned.
As he entered his senior year already a state champion and with his college commitment set, most would think Kimani would鈥檝e been content. However, he was hungry for more, including another state championship, and potentially earning Mississippi鈥檚 Gatorade Player of the Year award.
Once again, Kimani dazzled throughout the season, leading the Arrows to a 23-5 record and back to the state tournament. Yet, the quest for another title wasn鈥檛 easy. After having to comeback from a double-digit deficit in the semifinals, Clinton trailed nearly the whole way against Olive Branch in the championship game.
Down 61-47 going into the fourth quarter, Kimani and the Arrows made a furious comeback, and with just seconds remaining, Jaylon Davis would make two free throws to give Clinton a 76-75 lead which they would not relinquish as they won a second consecutive state title.聽
The championship was the program鈥檚 third all-time, as Kimani led the way with 24 points and nine rebounds. With one goal checked off the list, Kimani was hoping he would now also accomplish his second goal.
In March, he did just that as he was named Mississippi Gatorade Boys Basketball Player of the Year. During his senior campaign, Kimani averaged an impressive 18.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, four assists and two steals.聽
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— Kimani Hamilton (@KimaniHamilton2)
Any time an athlete wins a Gatorade Player of the Year award, it鈥檚 special. However, this one had extra meaning. Already matching his dad as a two-time high school state champion, Kimani also followed him by winning Gatorade Player of the Year, as Tang accomplished the same feat in 1997. They are the first father-son duo to ever win the award within the state of Mississippi.
鈥淚 found out the morning of the official release from Gatorade that I had won,鈥� Kimani said. “After receiving the news that we were the first father-son duo to win Gatorade Player of the Year for Mississippi, that made this honor even more special for my family and the state.鈥�
Kimani could not have finished his high school career on a higher note. The matched his father鈥檚 high school resume at every step. Now, he will look to do the same for his home-state Bulldogs, and perhaps follow in his dad鈥檚 footsteps again someday as a pro.
