Ashton Hagans

Ashton Dewayne Hagans, born on July 8, 1999, gained recognition as an influential American professional basketball player. Hagans, a robust guard with considerable defensive prowess, currently plays for the acclaimed Portland Trail Blazers under the National Basketball Association (NBA). His adept skills and impressive track record earned him a two-way contract with the Rip City Remix, a proud affiliate of the NBA G League. Hagans carved his way up the basketball echelons by dint of relentless effort, a fact that is attested by every step of his journey.

The germination of Hagans’ profound affinity for basketball dates back to his years at Newton High School in Covington, Georgia. Here, as a junior, he effortlessly managed to average 20.2 points, 10.7 assists, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.6 steals per game. Hagans was no stranger to accolades during this time, earning esteemed titles such as Mr. Basketball in Georgia as well as Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year honors.

Perhaps one of the major turning points in Hagans’ career came on December 27, 2017, when he committed to play for Georgia. However, on February 26, 2018, Hagans shocked the basketball circle by decommitting from Georgia. Awaiting his arrival elsewhere was the University of Kentucky, where he would rewrite his destiny as a Wildcat. On April 10, 2018, Hagans committed to play for Kentucky, marking a crucial pivot in his career roadmap.

In the summer of 2018, Hagans reclassified to the 2018 class, facilitating his immediate enrollment at Kentucky. On August 8 of the same year, Hagans made his developmental preseason debut for Kentucky, participating in a triumphant victory over the Bahamas National Team. By January 15, 2019, he had amassed an impressive record, scoring 23 points in a win over his former committed team, the Georgia Bulldogs. Cementing his prowess as a primary defender, Hagans ended his freshman season on a high, garnering the title of SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

A few obstacles started to surface in the following year when Hagans sustained an ankle injury in a January 2020 match. Later, due to personal reasons, Hagans missed a game against Florida in March. However, this did not deter his progress as he concluded the regular season by clinching his spot on the SEC All-Defensive Team. Rising above all adversities, Hagans posted an impressive average of 11.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists, and 1.9 steals per game in his sophomore year.

Driven by ambition, Hagans announced his decision to enter the professional arena by declaring for the 2020 NBA draft at the end of the season. Fortune favored his undaunted spirit, and even after going undrafted, he sealed a two-way contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves. Hagans’ sojourn with the Wolves, however, was cut short due to an unfortunate breach of NBA G League COVID protocols.

Despite these setbacks, Hagans was set to join the Toronto Raptors in the 2021 NBA Summer League, but a sudden injury impeded his plans. Unfazed, Hagans sealed a deal with the Raptors on October 16, 2021, only to be waived soon after to join the Raptors 905.

Fate had a bigger plan for Hagans, and on November 18, 2022, he signed with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. Despite being waived after one game, Hagans resumed his basketball journey with the Greensboro Swarm, where he posted a triple-double in his debut game, a feat that included 22 assists, a tie for the second-most in G League history.

Eventually, Hagans found his way to the Portland Trail Blazers on October 1, 2023. Although he was waived on the same day, his fortunes took a pleasant turn when he joined the Rip City Remix a month later. Having demonstrated an improved version of himself, Hagans caught the eyes of the Trail Blazers again in February 2024. He was offered a 10-day contract, but returned to the Remix soon. On February 23, a two-way contract with the Trail Blazers came his way, marking a zenith in his roller-coaster professional journey thus far.

In addition to his basketball achievements, Hagans shares an admirable lineage. He is the cousin of NFL running back Ronnie Brown and former NBA player Trey Thompkins. This connection, in a way, validates the sporting prowess that runs in Hagans’ veins, which has been crucial in shaping his career.