18. Hamidou Diallo, SG, Kentucky
Hamidou Diallo is another stud from Kentucky who has first-round potential. The shooting guard was contemplating whether or not to enter the 2017 NBA Draft but ultimately opted to return to Kentucky. Diallo was likely going to be a first-round pick in that draft, but now he has the chance to raise his draft stock in what looks to be a slightly weaker draft class.
The first thing that comes to mind when watching Diallo play is his unmatched athleticism — he ma be one of the most athletic athletes in America. Diallo’s athleticism was on show at the 2017 NBA Combine where he posted the second-highest vertical jump of NBA Combine history; 44.5-inches.
To avoid being a one-trick-pony, Diallo must work on his shooting mechanics, which will lead to a more reliable jump shot. Without a jump shot, he’ll struggle mightily in the NBA. Diallo, however, is an aggressive scorer that excels at getting buckets on fast breaks. Moreover, Diallo is also a decent defensive player that has the instincts to potentially be a lockdown defender at the next level.