Interesting Diallo interview...

[KA4Prez_rivals78700]

If it's just to improve his stock in the draft on the university's dime, damned straight I would be upset about it.

Do you think Cal is that stupid?

Even if that's all Diallo does, guarantee there is a benefit to UK and Cal to allow it to happen. We just might not know what it is or ever know what it is...but truth is, the scholarship is going unused and it's no different than handing it to a walk-on mid-season like we have done before.

 

[morgousky]

We just draw the line in different places.

I wouldn't like it if a player left to go pro before the season ended, like the guy from Florida did a few years ago. But if someone keeps their nose clean and maintains academic standards, I won't begrudge them leaving at semester break.

The expectation should be that anyone occupying a scholarship here will be available to put in time on the court. But if something drastically changes, you roll with it.

Diallo all the sudden being a first round lock would be a drastic change.

I don't totally disagree Aike. My problem lies in the slippery slope "argument". If it's ok for diallo to do that. Would you be OK if we had a player two leave without playing yearly? Every two years?

I think it opens a door that we probably shouldn't open.

But i hope Cal wouldn't allow it if it became a trend.

 

[morgousky]

Even if he did go, I'm not sure why some think we didn't receive any benefit from it. If he's a good defender, having our guys go against him in practice can only be a good thing even if the impact is small.

So you'd be fine with players doing it yearly, because we can practice against them?

Just can't agree on this one. You come here, go on scholarship, commit to this team, you need to contribute. If it happened once or twice and was a rare occurrence, I would not have issues. But who can say it won't happen more?

Going from leaving extremely early to leaving immediately. We are literally to a point where some are ok with The UK name being pimped for an individual to benefit a draft position without earning UK 1 point? We're already on a slippery slope.

Not me. You come here, you need to play.

 

[morgousky]

I'm not if he doesn't play here next year.

Some of the "care free" casual UK "observers" wouldn't care if Cal shut down the season and said it's best for 3 guys draft future if UK didn't play the entire season. Can you hear'm?

"Cal is looking out for players. These aren't your kids and it's not your life. Kentucky basketball has had over 100 season for you to go back and watch. 1 year of no basketball isn't a big deal to me. Stop living through the team"

I honestly believe they'd say that.

 

[Jakarii]

Today he said the plan is to not play and when asked about the draft he said he will sit with Cal and talk about. All indications is he will at he very least test the draft this year

I don't see how that statement by Diallo says anything about how he's not planning to return next year.

He could be the star of the team in a weaker draft, and be ahead of the Freshman curve given his experience right now.

If anything, hopefully this just shuts up the people who want him to suit up every game.

 

[Jakarii]

Except mock drafts mean nothing right now. Every year many players not listed on mock drafts get drafted. Teams won't tip their hand and tell people who they will draft.

Also you don't go to uconn and play if you're stock isn't that high, instead you come to UK, battle future lotto picks, get better, then you test the draft and do workouts to see if you can get a 1st round guarantee


Every post about him for sure staying is fans wishing he will come back and help the team. They ignore the fact that Cal has ALWAYS been a player first coach and if he can get Diallo into the first round he plays do that over him turning that down to play for UK. If you have zero intentions of testing the draft then playing his year wouldn't hurt you at all, but if you don't want to hurt you're stock while getting better and working on a weakness and knowing in individual workouts you can hide warts that would be hidden in real games, then you don't risk playing.

Also as a former overseas player I can tell you Diallo game doesn't fit because it all about basketball IQ and being able to shoot and I'm sure his people know this which is why it would have been a huge mistake for him to go overseas.

As far as recruiting. There isn't a recruit out there with UK level skills who they could get in this late in the recruiting game

He's no where to be found in the mock drafts which I know is subject to change. But 2 things stand out to me.

1. He wouldn't come here just to practice with this team. If he was seriously considering going pro after this semsester he would of went to uconn played right away then entered the draft.

2 If he was considering the draft, he would of Been overseas getting prepared for the NBA draft and getting paid to do so. Not playing pick up ball at uk. I think he wants to be part of next yrs team with green an hopefully bamba.

Lastly, if you haven't noticed, cal is not recruiting any sg for next yr as I think he knows he already has his guy for next yr

 

[Chuckinden]

Do you think Cal is that stupid?

Even if that's all Diallo does, guarantee there is a benefit to UK and Cal to allow it to happen. We just might not know what it is or ever know what it is...but truth is, the scholarship is going unused and it's no different than handing it to a walk-on mid-season like we have done before.

His obsession to get players in the pros concerns me. We'll just have to see if Cal is "that stupid".

 

[ChucktownCats]

I get a kick out of the posters that think the UK fan base would be upset if Diallo left after one semester. This board might melt down, but most UK fans probably don't even know he is on the team.

 

[JoeBeeHall]

How do you "sit" foot?

I named my dog Foot. I would command "sit Foot"

 

[UKCatNnc]

As an "old fart", it would not bother me to see this young man get a first round draft pick before he gets to play for the Cats. However, I would love to have him on the team next year. I have watched every video, and read everything I could about this young man, and I have become a fan of his. Go Cats!!

 

[anon_013cn8yrfncx2]

as our season completely hinges on him next year.There are no other sg out there . .

I have never seen anyone (else) even remotely suggest that HD is a SG. He can't shoot at least by reputation. If he's UK's starting 2 next year, that team will go nowhere (maybe Knox would make the team be somewhat viable)

 

[Aike]

I have never seen anyone (else) even remotely suggest that HD is a SG. He can't shoot at least by reputation. If he's UK's starting 2 next year, that team will go nowhere (maybe Knox would make the team be somewhat viable)

http://247sports.com/Player/Hamidou-Diallo-76948