Kentucky Basketball: Three Wildcats In SI’s 2018 Mock Draft
By Drew Koch
Three Kentucky basketball players make the first round of Sports Illustrated’s 2018 NBA Mock Draft.
Seeing Kentucky basketball players in NBA Mock drafts at this time of the year is nothing new for UK fans. Year in and year out coach John Calipari brings a Top 3 recruiting class to Lexington and inevitably these talented players a projected to go high in the upcoming NBA Draft.
The NBA Draft will be held May 15, 2018 and is moving to Chicago this coming year. After sending De’Aaron Fox, Bam Adebayo and Malik Monk to the NBA last season after just one year, it’s no surprise to see some of Kentucky’s talented freshmen making the list. Let’s take a look.
Kevin Knox, Forward
In Sports Illustrated latest mock draft, they have the Charlotte Hornets taking Kevin Knox at No. 10. Knox has been far and away UK’s best player this season. He is averaging a team high 16.6 points per game. Knox is shooting almost 35% from outside the arc and has been the go-to guy in late-game situations.
Hamidou Diallo
Hamidou Diallo fell out of the lottery to the No.19 pick held by the Portland Trail Blazers. Diallo declared for the draft last year, but removed himself from consideration so he could perfect his skills. Diallo’s athletic ability is not in question, but his jump shot is. If Diallo can improve his outside shooting as the season progresses look for him to climb up the draft ladder.
Nick Richards
Maybe the biggest mystery thus far in this young season has been Nick Richards. Richards is projected No. 28 to the Golden State Warriors. Richards is shooting 65% from the field and is averaging 8.6 points and 6.5 rebounds. For all those out there who love analytics, Richards’ PER is 28.5, which is 13.5 about average.
Only 8 games into the season, there’s still a lot of basketball left to play. There is plenty of room for every player on the Kentucky roster to improve.