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Kentucky Basketball: What the Hamidou Diallo Decision Means for The 2017-18 Season

By Frank Spencer

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 did not play a single second in the second half of the 2016-17 season.

Hamidou Diallo enrolled at Kentucky in January of 2017. The dynamic guard came to Lexington as one of the top prospects in the country. The 6-foot-5 New York native is the top ranked shooting guard in the class of 2017. After spending a post graduate season at Putnam Science Academy, and the second half of the season at Kentucky, Diallo is Draft Eligible.

Hamidou Diallo announced via Twitter that he will enter the NBA Draft but will not hire an agent. While this leaves his eligibility at Kentucky open for a change of heart, Diallo will almost certainly participate in numerous workouts for NBA teams.

In order for Hamidou to remain in the draft, one would think he would have to be guaranteed at least a first round pick. According to many Mock Drafts, none have included the talented freshman. We will keep an eye out for new Mock Drafts and update news accordingly.

What does this mean?

If Diallo likes what he hears from NBA teams, and he decides to remain in the draft, the next version of John Calipari’s Cats may be without a top playmaker. The Class of 2017 Kentucky basketball recruiting class is loded down with talent. Diallo would most certainly be a key player among young superstars.

Diallo did not have a minute of college game experience but he does bring more experience than some. Hamidou Diallo spent the second half of the season on the scout team. He spent time guarding the likes of Malik Monk and De’Aaron Fox everyday.

Whether or not he stays in the draft is a decision that Kentucky Basketball fans will have to wait until May 24 to find out. That is quite some time to speculate and discuss some things regarding the roster for next season.

Room for More Commitments?

With Diallo declaring this early, there is more room for top recruits to commit to the Cats. Mohamed Bamba, Kevin Knox, Cam Johnson and Mark Smith are the top four remaining targets. Kentucky and head coach John Calipari obviously have a plan in place to put a great team on the floor next season. In order for Calipari to compete next season, a combinaiton of Bamba/Knox and Johnson/Smith will need to be apart of it.

Next: 5 Teams that Could Benefit Kentucky in SEC Expansion

Who knows, Diallo and Bam Adebayo may come back to school if they don’t hear what they want from NBA teams. For the sake of Kentucky fans’ sanity, there needs to be bit more good news to come forth.

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