Rob Dillingham became the second Kentucky Wildcat guard to be selected in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft as he found himself selected No. 8 overall by the San Antonio Spurs.
His rights were traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves, however.
Minnesota has traded for the eighth pick and Rob Dillingham, source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 27, 2024
Dillingham joins Reed Sheppard as the two Wildcats picked in the lottery this year.
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.
His expolsive ability and playmaking skills are a huge reason for his high ceiling in the NBA. However, it took Dillingham some time to adjust to being a non-starter.
“At first it was a little difficult," Dillingham told The Athletic’s Shams Charania. "But over time you’ve got to grow into it and you’ve gotta play with a chip on your shoulder and play basketball and understand that when you get in the game, you’ve got to perform, and if you don’t, you won’t get no more time."
Dillingham was a five-star recruit in the 2023 class and ranked as the No. 16 overall player in the 247Sports composite rankings.