Cal re: Diallo and NBA draft

RoyKent

Heisman
Feb 3, 2015
23,016
33,287
66
https://www.seccountry.com/kentucky/kentucky-nba-draft-combine-2017-hamidou-diallo

Calipari told me Diallo will work out for 3-4 teams next week, then make big decision. Cal's goal? "Protect him."

“Look, this was always out there when he came,” the Wildcats coach told SEC Country on Thursday at the NBA Combine, where Diallo and three other UK players are being evaluated. “I told him, ‘At the end of the year, you may have an opportunity and we’ll explore it.’ That’s what all this stuff is for. I’m just trying to protect him. Let these (NBA) guys get the information they need and if you’re going to draft him, tell him you’re going to draft him.

“I just want to protect him, because he was with us four months and he didn’t play in a game. But if someone will take him, what will I say?”
 
A

anon_dge1vx8o0wnm7

Guest
On ESPN he says "I'm losing 9 guys." He gone
 

4UK4life1

All-Conference
Dec 21, 2004
3,172
1,398
111
This part is interesting

“They don’t know. Well, don’t show them!” Calipari said of NBA scouts who aren’t sure exactly how polished Diallo’s game is right now. “They all like you right now without watching you. Good! The more you don’t play, the more they like you! So don’t play. Then if someone takes him in the lottery, I will retire. There’s nothing more I could do. Four months, doesn’t play, lottery pick, I’m done. I’m stopping.”
 
  • Like
Reactions: Johnny1017

MdWIldcat55

Heisman
Dec 9, 2007
21,551
86,686
113
Good for Cal. A decent man who is the anti-Roy Williams or Coach K, always siphoning an extra year from these players for their own good -- and at the kids' lost millions.

Kentucky is doing great with recruits because Cal has done good for the individuals who come his way.

And, just based on what he says here, I think there is a decent shot Diallo returns. Cal doesn't say it, but it is pretty clear reading between the lines he doesn't think the kid is ready; and he's earned trust by being willing to help him and protect him.
 
Last edited:

KMKAT

All-Conference
Sep 17, 2003
94,731
2,957
50
Cal on the desk now talking his guys. Talking Hami and his chances....tells his kids if you come here, make sure you can help yourself.

Saying Hami should go if he can go 25. Mentioning his guys from prev drafts...now showing Wall vs. Fox

Cal asking why don't they show our guys dunking on Indiana and dunking on North Carolina just running down the court.

Cal also joked that if Hami goes in the lottery, he's done!

Swaggy Cal complaining about the ESPN equipment on his head.
 

permdaddy_rivals45705

All-American
Mar 29, 2002
16,057
6,644
0
Listening to Cal on ESPN now it sounds like the decision has been made. I think Cal knew he was never coming back nor did he have any intention on playing at UK.

Edit: I don't think we get Knox if Diallo doesn't leave.
 

ukmelanie

All-Conference
Apr 19, 2013
1,078
1,562
0
Sounds like it's over and no chance he comes back.Sucks that he will never play a second for UK and it hurts our chances next season.Thank God for Kevin Knox.
 

KMKAT

All-Conference
Sep 17, 2003
94,731
2,957
50
Hami now being shown on the screen; Cal saying NBA teams won't lie to him.

Cal just said if its 20 or 21, he's got to go.

As I said earlier, Cal says the issue is the amount of time he's having to spend in the D-League at that slot.
 

Cardsstink

Heisman
Mar 20, 2017
7,791
11,201
0
I doubt very much Cal takes this route again.

I said that before and got blasted by Poedunk or whatever that guys name is. Cal's last sentence says it all. It's clearly not worth it for him to deal with this kind of stuff, and I'll say it yet again - he'll never fiddle with this mid-season enrolee stuff again. Is this a knock on Cal? Of course it's not. He didn't see this coming - his last sentence basically says that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: oldlewisville99

mdlUK.1

Heisman
Dec 23, 2002
29,712
57,543
0
Hami now being shown on the screen; Cal saying NBA teams won't lie to him.

Cal just said if its 20 or 21, he's got to go.

As I said earlier, Cal says the issue is the amount of time he's having to spend in the D-League at that slot.
He didn't say he'd have to go. He said he'd have a decision to make if he was 21-25.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DanHalen88

Titles1

Sophomore
Mar 21, 2017
314
139
0
What's annoying is a UK fan saying we should expect a "Title" ever single year and the entire program is a massive failure if that isn't attained....
I expect more than one with the talent that has rolled through here over last 7 yrs. Some of you sound like Tammy.
 

T-Bickle

Senior
Oct 31, 2007
512
730
0
Cal also made the point that if he's drafted late first round, he's making about a million per year as opposed to lottery where he's making about $5 million a year. He followed it up by saying that means a team has less invested in a lower first round guy and therefore won't be as patient. Those lottery guys get more time because the investment is higher.

Pretty honest assessment and not the typical Cal hype.
 

Titles1

Sophomore
Mar 21, 2017
314
139
0
You're not a UK fan. And if you are, you are the worst type...the type that makes the good one's roll their eyes in embarassment when you beat your chest acting like you had something to do with it any time UK wins a game.... The type that wears UK gear from head to toe while acting like a complete tool.
Ok. Don't forget flat bill hat.
 

skcatfan

All-Conference
Oct 5, 2002
1,178
1,667
113
I expect more than one with the talent that has rolled through here over last 7 yrs. Some of you sound like Tammy.
Damn I can't believe you didn't kill yourself during the Tubby and BCG years. We have a chance to win a title pretty much every year Cal is here and that DEFINITELY wasn't the case before he arrived. That's all any reasonable fan can ask for.
 

millayc

Senior
Feb 26, 2007
497
448
0
I just find it interesting that he mentioned the higher he goes the more investment a team has in him, the more likely they keep him around. It didn't sound like to me that it was a done deal at all. It seems that Cal is suggesting that even at 21 he is taking a big risk with the D League.
 

Cardsstink

Heisman
Mar 20, 2017
7,791
11,201
0
Damn I can't believe you didn't kill yourself during the Tubby and BCG years. We have a chance to win a title pretty much every year Cal is here and that DEFINITELY wasn't the case before he arrived. That's all any reasonable fan can ask for.

A few weeks ago he said we should expect a title every single year (with his chest stuck out and wife-beater on). Two days later, he said he'd trade 5 bad years for one title. He can't get out of his own way. I'm guessing he's 13 or 14 years old.
 
A

anon_dge1vx8o0wnm7

Guest
44.5 inch vert, highest at the combine by six inches
 
KSR

Latest

  1. 01 KSR Kentucky VB to play 11 national TV matches, including first-of-its-kind showdown vs. Louisville
  2. 02 KSR Of course Zakai Zeigler filed another lawsuit vs. the NCAA
  3. 03 KSR 11 Personnel: Kentucky Football Fall Camp is Here
  4. 04 KSR Kentucky Football to Host "Meet the Team Day"
  5. 05 KSR Sources Say goes LIVE to talk Kentucky's push for a 15th player