ESPN analyst believes Rob Dillingham is 'most skilled' player in 2024 NBA Draft

Rob Dillingham came to Kentucky with high aspirations to eventually be an NBA Draft pick and on Wednesday, he'll see that through.

In just a few days his professional basketball career will begin but it hasn't been without some question marks.

After watching his stock slide a bit due to an injury during the NBA Combine, some questions about Dillingham's fit with certain systems arose. There's no denying his talent or skillset, however.

That talent has given him a lottery projection for the upcoming draft, even as high as No. 8 overall. And, one analyst gave Dillingham terrific support calling him the 'most skilled player' in the draft class.

"Inch for inch, I believe Kentucky basketball's Rob Dillingham is the most skilled player in this NBA Draft," Fran Fraschilla wrote on social media. "His handle is Kyrie-like, shoots 44% from three and will never be afraid of the big moment. I think he’s going to trend towards Jamal Crawford-Lou Williams status some day."

Dillingham was the SEC's Sixth Man of the Year in 2023, thanks to averages of 15.2 points, 3.9 assists and a three-point rate of 44.4 percent.

Despite starting just one game last year he scored in double-figures in 27 of his 32 games played. He even scored 20 points in eight games, including a 35-point performance all off the bench.

Going from a five-star guard and top-20 prospect in the class to coming off the bench isn't an easy move for anyone. While it was difficult for Dillingham at first, he quickly changed his mindset -- something that will likely be terrific experience for him at the next level.

"Just try to go in a game and do what the coach want me to do in the time he wants me to do," Dillingham told The Athletic’s Shams Charania. "So I never looked at it as ‘I’m not as good’, I just looked at it as motivation to go out there and I get to watch the players play before I get to go in."

Dillingham is currently rated as the No. 8 overall player on ESPN's final Big Board heading into Wednesday.

Regardless of where he lands, he will likely help that organization right away -- echoing Fraschilla, his skill is too good to be held back.