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Kentucky Basketball: Hamidou Diallo Appears in the Latest NBA Mock Draft

By Jared DeRossett

Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari speaks at a press conference after defeating the UCLA Bruins during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Kentucky won 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari speaks at a press conference after defeating the UCLA Bruins during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Kentucky won 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kentucky Basketball’s Hamidou Diallo, potentially Calipari’s first “zero-and-done”, declared for the NBA Draft. Last night, his name popped up in DraftExpress’ latest mock draft.

Hamidou ‘Hami’ Diallo’s decision to not hire an agent means that he can come back next year if he doesn’t like where he’s projected. Currently, according to DraftExpress, the Kentucky Basketball early enrollee is projected to go 33rd overall to the Orlando Magic. Funny enough, fellow Wildcat De’Aaron Fox is projected to go 5th overall to the same team.

Hami had every right to go test the waters and see where he would land if he were to hire an agent. The fact that he didn’t means that coming back to Kentucky is a real possibility. Right now, at 33rd overall, that’s the front end of the second round. He could hire an agent and test his luck, and make a fine career out of it. Current NBA players such as Paul Millsap, Marc Gasol, and Manu Ginobli all have had All-Star careers coming out of the second round.

Why He Should Come Back

To use the same argument as the previous paragraph, he’s more than likely a second-round pick. Correct, it would get him into the league and get his foot in the door. But, he will more than likely be sent down to the D-League as most second-rounders are. Instead, Diallo could come back, practice with other top draft picks, and increase his stock.

Right now, looking at DraftExpress’ 2018 Mock Draft, Hami is projected 22nd overall. This number is a tad bit lower than what I expected. He is a 6’5 shooting guard with a 7’0 wingspan, that just doesn’t come around every day. That’s why if he were to come back and give scouts a chance to see that body build in action, he could work his way into a lottery pick. Not to mention, Calipari knows a thing or two about increasing a player’s draft stock.

Next: Ranking John Calipari's Kentucky Shooting Guards

Regardless of Hami’s decision, Kentucky Basketball needs to prepare for the worst. Cameron Johnson, a transfer student from Pittsburgh, seems to have Kentucky as a frontrunner. This guy would be a good replacement for Diallo if he decides to stay in the NBA Draft. Personally, I think Diallo would be better off coming back, but at the same time, chase that money. If he were to get into that first round through some good workouts, he might be gone though.

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