Busting Brackets
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Kentucky Basketball: What to expect from the 2017 recruiting class

By Stuart Gill

Mar 29, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonald's High School All-American players Nicholas Richards (4) and Jarred Vanderbilt and Quade Green (0) and PJ Washington Jr. who will all be attending the University of Kentucky in the fall of 2017 pose for a group photo before the 40th Annual McDonald's High School All-American Game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; McDonald's High School All-American players Nicholas Richards (4) and Jarred Vanderbilt and Quade Green (0) and PJ Washington Jr. who will all be attending the University of Kentucky in the fall of 2017 pose for a group photo before the 40th Annual McDonald's High School All-American Game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 18, 2016; Ft. Meyers, FL, USA; Putnam Science Mustangs gaurd Hamidou Diallo (3) handles the ball against St Anthony Yellowjackets during the first half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Ft. Meyers, FL, USA; Putnam Science Mustangs gaurd Hamidou Diallo (3) handles the ball against St Anthony Yellowjackets during the first half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

Hamidou Diallo

Kentucky’s most interesting newcomer is also the NCAA’s most talked-about recruit. Technically, Hamidou Diallo is not a newcomer, but he will experience his first official collegiate competition next year. He enrolled at the University in January of 2017 and was able to practice with last year’s Wildcat team. Without playing a minute of NCAA basketball, Diallo declared for the NBA Draft, but his decision did not go over well with NBA scouts. He recently announced his decision to return to Kentucky for the 2017-2018 season.

“His ball skills are better than I thought,” said former Kentucky guard De’Aaron Fox, who got to play against Diallo in practice. He continued, saying that Diallo is “extremely strong [and] a great defender,” and made it clear that he believes Diallo is one of the best guards at the college level when he said that “practices were a lot tougher than games.”

Fox put together quite the career in his one season at Kentucky. He averaged over 16 points in nearly 30 minutes as he led the Wildcats to a 32-6 overall record, good enough for a first-place finish in the SEC and an Elite Eight appearance. He was regarded as one of the best point guards in the country, so his opinion of Diallo should hold weight.

With Fox entering the draft as an undeniable lottery pick, Diallo will have the chance to replace him and maintain Kentucky’s recent history of excellence at the point guard position. Diallo is going to take control of Kentucky’s season by winning his individual match-up in every single game.

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