Are any of the Kentucky basketball players headed for the NBA Lottery?
By Drew Koch
Hamidou Diallo
There is no denying the athletic ability of Hamidou Diallo. This kid can jump out of the gym. Diallo’s measurables are off the chart and he may be the most athletic player Calipari has had on his Kentucky basketball team since John Wall.
Diallo decided to forego last year’s NBA Draft and return to Kentucky in an effort to increase his draft stock. Diallo’s early-season production had him rising up draft boards and looking like a lock for the NBA Draft lottery.
Diallo’s performance as of late may have scouts questioning whether he is even a first-round talent. In SEC play, he’s averaging only 9.2 points per game and is shooting just over 40% from the field. Diallo’s three-point percentage (33%) and free throw percentage (58%) in conference play are both below his season average.
Hami has the athletic ability that makes NBA scouts salivate, but his basketball IQ leaves a lot to be desired. Diallo has yet to demonstrate an ability to create his own shot or consistently knock down a perimeter jump shot. Diallo runs the floor well on the fast break, but he has a lot of flaws in his game that pro scouts will pick apart. Being taken in the top half of the 2018 NBA Draft doesn’t appear to be in the cards for Diallo right now.