Over the next few weeks, we’re evaluating every SEC player that has a chance of going pro and diving into their strengths and weaknesses as the 2018 NBA draft approaches.
Next up is Kentucky’s Hamidou Diallo, the 6’5” combo guard that was a key contributor in the Wildcats’ Sweet 16 run this past season. He was a consensus 5-star recruit, ranked 10th in the 247Sports composite rankings and the No. 1 shooting guard in the country, as well as being the top player from the state of New York.
Let’s look at Diallo’s essential information, his strengths and weaknesses, his team fits, and his draft range.
Diagnostics
- Name: Hamidou Diallo
- Height: 6’5”
- Weight: 210 lbs.
- Points Per Game: 10.0
- Assists Per Game: 1.2
- Rebounds Per Game: 3.6
- Field-Goal Percentage: 42.8%
- Three-Point Percentage: 33.8%
- Free Throw Percentage: 61.1%
- Points Per 100 Possessions: 23.2
- Assists Per 100 Possessions: 2.9
- Rebounds Per 100 Possessions: 8.4
Strengths
- Length
Diallo has an impressive wingspan measuring nearly 7’0”, which for a 6’5” guard, is quite high.
That length is similar to another shooting guard prospect from last season in former Alabama commit Terrence Ferguson, who also posted a 7’0” wingspan. The thing about Ferguson, however, is that he’s 6’7”, which makes Diallo that much more impressive as a defensive prospect.
That length will get him far in the pros as he tries to latch on to an NBA team strictly on his defensive merits.
- Defensive potential
Diallo has all of the tools to be a great defender at the next level, but he needs to commit himself at that end of the floor.
The combination of length, athleticism, and effort will make him a viable NBA player moving forward, and luckily for him, he won’t have to shoulder as much of an offensive load at the next level with additional playmakers around him.
With the physical profile that Diallo possesses, it’s hard to see him not being a productive defender early in the league if he commits to the intricacies of the job.
Weaknesses
- Jump shooting
Diallo’s jumper is still in need of some work, and it shows in his percentages as well as his efficiency numbers.
Shooting 33 percent from the 3-point line as an exclusive shooting guard and posting weak efficiency numbers (49.8 percent TSP and 47.0 percent eFG%) simply will not get it done in the NBA where shooting is becoming the most important tool for players to be successful on a consistent basis.
Throw in his poor free-throw percentage (61.1 percent), and Diallo certainly has an area of focus once he gets into the league.
- Overall consistency
Diallo never really was able to sustain a high level of consistent offensive performance, only scoring more than 10 points in 16 of 37 games.
That inconsistency could be partially attributed to playing in Kentucky’s system filled with talented players, but it is alarming when a player of his caliber can’t make enough of an impact on the game from a game-to-game basis.
He’s going to have to work on finding ways to easily impact the game on the offensive end of the floor.
Draft Team Fits
Diallo will find a fit with a team that needs versatile guards that could take time to develop fully.
Some teams that could take a chance on him are:
- Atlanta Hawks
- Washington Wizards
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Dallas Mavericks
Draft Range
Diallo projects to be a work in progress at the shooting guard position that teams should be able to take their time with.
He is considered one of the rawest players in the class but can make up for it with his frame and elite athleticism, which should allow him to thrive in various roles in the NBA.
I can’t see him going in the lottery, but I can see a team taking him in the later part of the first round or the early part of the second round.
Draft Range: Late 1st round to early 2nd round