Five Takeaways From Diallo’s Decision to Return to Kentucky
If you haven’t heard, Hamidou Diallo will return to Kentucky for the 2017–18 basketball season. After making us all sweat it out on Wednesday’s deadline, Diallo decided to withdraw his name from consideration for the 2017 NBA Draft.
After not playing a single minute in a Kentucky uniform last season, Diallo declared for the draft in April and quickly rose up NBA big boards. Scouts were salivating over the 18-year-old during this year’s NBA Combine — A freakishly athletic 6'5 shooting guard with a near 7'0 wingspan and a 44.5 inch vertical. That 44.5 inch leap is the 2nd highest ever recorded in NBA Combine history!
That’s why he can do superhuman stuff like this…
According to most mocks, Diallo was projected as a late 1st round pick in the Draft this year. Teams had wide-ranging opinions on Diallo — some thought he simply didn’t have the body of work to warrant that high of a pick, while others, such as the Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls, were considering drafting him purely on the high upside Diallo provides.
In the end, I believe Diallo was looking for a 1st round guarantee from a team but never received it, thus cementing his decision to return.
[caption id=”attachment_727" align=”alignnone” width=”1024"]
Kentucky’s Hamidou Diallo sought to be one of the first ever “none-and-done” players to be drafted.[/caption]
So what does Hamidou Diallo’s return mean for the Cats?
Five Takeaways From Diallo’s Decision to Return
1. We should have an incredible defensive team next season.
The length of this team is on par with the 38–1 team, which was one of the best we’ve seen on the defensive side of the ball. Here’s what I expect the day 1 starting lineup to look like:
PG — Quade Green, 6'1, Fr.
SG — Hamidou Diallo, 6'5, Fr.
SF — Kevin Knox, 6'9, Fr.
PF — P.J. Washington, 6'8, Fr.
C — Nick Richards, 7'0, Fr.
Along with the key players coming off the bench:
SF/PF — Jarred Vanderbilt, 6'9, Fr.
PF/C — Sacha Killeya-Jones, 6'10, So.
PF — Wenyen Gabriel, 6'9, So.
PG — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, 6'6, Fr.
SG — Jemarl Baker, 6'4, Fr.
PF/C — Tai Wynyard, 6'10, So.
That’s 9 players 6'5 or taller, and 7 that are 6'8 or taller. Not to mention, most are great athletes and can jump out of the gym.
I expect us to be able protect the rim, rebound really well, and have elite perimeter defenders in our starting lineup with Green, Diallo, and Knox. Watch out.
2. Cameron Johnson is unlikely to come to UK now.
With Diallo’s decision to return, Pitt grad-transfer shooting guard Cam Johnson will more than likely not play for Kentucky next season.
Johnson visited UK earlier this spring, and reports were that he enjoyed his time on campus. He’s still officially considering Kentucky — along with Ohio State, Oregon, TCU, UCLA, and North Carolina. His most recent visit was with the latter, and I think he really wants to play for Roy Williams and the Heels. And they would need him after losing a lot of talent off last year’s championship* roster.
*suspect to losing this title due to NCAA allegations of historic academic scandal.
3. Our roster is likely set for the 2017–18 season.
Kentucky is likely done shuffling pieces for next year’s team. With Mohamed Bamba’s commitment to Texas, Johnson unlikely to commit to UK, and Diallo’s last minute decision to return, the 2017–18 roster is likely set in stone.
4. We are going to be REALLY young next season.
Only one player on next year’s roster has played significant minutes, and it’s Wenyen Gabriel. There will be at least 7 freshmen that will play a lot of minutes for this team, and the entire starting five will likely be all freshmen.
The upcoming Cats are incredibly deep and uber-talented, but with a team this young, fans should expect to have growing pains. So, remember this article when you’re wallowing in frustration due to an unforeseen loss on a Tuesday night in February.
5. We are going to be REALLY good (again) next season.
It’s business as usual in Lexington — another year, another roster loaded with talent. UK will have 8 five-star recruits on next year’s team. WOW! Even with the previously mentioned growing pains, I believe we can slate the Cats for yet another 30-win season under Coach Cal.
One aspect of this team that we may see, and one I’m very excited about, is the ability to play a lot of “positionless basketball” since the Cats will have multiple guys who can play multiple positions on the floor. This allows for a lot of flexibility in the roster and will create matchup nightmares for opposing defenses — imagine 6'0 Chris Chiozza trying to guard 6'9 Kevin Knox. I’m becoming giddy just thinking about it.
Cal should be absolutely enthralled with the roster he and his staff have assembled. I don’t know about you guys, but I can’t wait to see this team in action.
Is it November yet?
