Behind the Bucks Pass
Fansided

NBA Draft: Is Hamidou Diallo worth a late draft flyer for the Bucks?

By Jordan Treske

BOISE, ID - MARCH 17: Hamidou Diallo #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats dunks the ball during the second half against the Buffalo Bulls in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID - MARCH 17: Hamidou Diallo #3 of the Kentucky Wildcats dunks the ball during the second half against the Buffalo Bulls in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
BOISE, ID – MARCH 17: (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – MARCH 17: (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

After being something of a curiosity during last year’s draft process, Hamidou Diallo is looking to regain the same amount of buzz now that he’s officially declared for the 2018 NBA Draft.

Not long after the Kentucky Wildcats were bounced out in the Sweet Sixteen by Kansas State University in this year’s NCAA Tournament, freshman guard Hamidou Diallo officially declared for the 2018 NBA Draft.

It marked the end of Diallo’s year-plus stay in Lexington, one that was close to being far more brief this time a year ago, of course.

After all, Diallo stood as something of a wild card during last year’s draft process as he tested the waters mere months after committing to the school before playing a second of game action inside the legendary Rupp Arena.

More from Bucks Draft

Following a strong showing at last year’s NBA Draft Combine in which the New York native’s athletic gifts were on full display, there was plenty of chatter that Diallo had intrigued enough teams that he could have been taken in the first round had he kept his name in the draft.

Waiting on what route he would ultimately go down, Diallo’s final decision went all the way down to the wire on the day of the early entry deadline before he ultimately came to the conclusion to stay in school and experience life as a Kentucky player under famed head coach John Calipari.

When asked about whether he would take the same path again knowing what he knows now in a recent profile by Sean Deveney of the Sporting News, Diallo had this to say about his fork in the road moment a year ago:

"“No regrets, none,” Diallo said. “I had one foot in the NBA, one foot in college. I was not 100 percent sure I wanted to go into the NBA. I feel like I made the best decision to go back to school, and if I had to do it all over again, I would do it the same exact way. I feel like I made the right decision. “I had the best time at Kentucky, I had the best time with one of the best coaches in the game and the best assistant coaches as well. They all wanted to see me succeed.”"

So without further ado, let’s break down what Hamidou Diallo has to offer, the many weaknesses that are currently present in his game, see how draft experts rate him at this point in the process and evaluate his potential fit with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Home/Bucks Draft