NBA Draft 2016: BTBP Big Board 1.0
By Adam McGee
19. Cheick Diallo – Power Forward (Kansas)
Words by Andrew Snyder
Diallo’s 2015-16 season: 3.3 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 0.1 APG, 0.3 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 55.1% FG
Diallo is all projection, which makes him tough to talk about. He’s a big, raw, power forward that looks the part of NBA big man. However, he hasn’t shown much of that at the college level.
First, it took him a few weeks into the season to actually be ruled eligible in the NCAA. Now that he’s able to play he barely plays. He only plays 8.5 minutes per game and as of February 16 he’s gone three consecutive games without scoring. His career high in points came in his first ever game on December 1. He had 13 points, six rebounds, three blocks against Loyola and it’s been downhill ever since.
It’s hard to pick a player when their college track record is so limited. How do you judge a player you’ve barely seen play? Here’s what Chad Ford said about him back in August.
“Diallo has the best motor of anyone in this class. He doesn’t take a second off on the court. He’s tough, athletic and is just a handful on both ends of the floor. He’s not particularly skilled and he needs to continue to add strength, but few players can keep up with him — if the NCAA ever gets around to clearing him to play at Kansas. He might end up being a better version of Kenneth Faried.”
All that may have changed in the last six months, there’s no way of knowing for sure. If you take Diallo late in the first round you may have a steal or you may have a bust.
Next: 18