Hamilton grew up playing football for the Pasadena Trojans Pop Warner program but stopped in eighth grade when he thought it was getting too physical and he had a growth spurt.[1] He played basketball for Pasadena High School in Pasadena, California. As a junior, Hamilton averaged 24.6 points and 8.2 rebounds per game and was named Pasadena Star-News All-Area Player of the Year.[2] In his senior season, he averaged 24.4 points and 7.2 rebounds per game, repeating as Pasadena Star-News All-Area Player of the Year.[3] He was a McDonald's All American nominee.[1] Hamilton was a four-star recruit and committed to play college basketball for UNLV over offers from Nevada, Ohio State, Utah, Arizona State and Colorado.[4]
As a freshman at UNLV, Hamilton averaged 4.3 points per game, shooting 35.3 percent from the field. After the season, coach Marvin Menzies was fired and Hamilton entered the NCAA transfer portal.[5] He opted to return to UNLV following a conversation with new coach T. J. Otzelberger.[4] Hamilton had breakout success during conference play in his sophomore season.[6] On January 18, 2020, he scored a season-high 35 points in a 99–78 win over New Mexico.[5] On January 26, Hamilton recorded 29 points and 10 rebounds in a 71–67 loss to fourth-ranked San Diego State.[7] He was named to the First Team All-Mountain West after averaging 16 points and 5.5 rebounds per game as a sophomore.[6] As a junior, Hamilton averaged 17.9 points and 6 rebounds per game, earning Second Team All-Mountain West honors.[8] Following the season, he entered the transfer portal, but ultimately returned to UNLV.[9] On January 28, 2022, Hamilton scored a career-high 45 points in an 88–74 win over Colorado State.[10] He was named to the First Team All-Mountain West as a senior.[11] On March 28, 2022, Hamilton declared for the 2022 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.[12]
Hamilton joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2023 NBA Summer League[13] and later signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Lakers on September 7.[18] He was waived on September 18[19] and subsequently re-joined the South Bay Lakers for the 2023–24 NBA G League season.[20] In 48 games, he averaged 16.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game.[17]
Hamilton's older brother, Blake, played college basketball for Buffalo before embarking on a professional career. Three of his cousins, Daniel, Isaac and Jordan, play professionally; Daniel and Jordan were drafted into the NBA.[24]
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