The Kentucky Wildcats have been viewed as the favorites for Hamidou Diallo...in the 2017 class.
However, Diallo may be joining college basketball sooner than expected. According to 247 Sports recruiting director Jerry Meyer, there is some "buzz" about Diallo possibly enrolling for the next semester of college in January, and it may be with UConn.
Could see Hamidou Diallo at UConn very early in 2017. https://t.co/FtSZrdWetu https://t.co/it5hhJgdQA
— Jerry Meyer (@jerrymeyer247) December 21, 2016
Hamidou Diallo 21 & 7 in 55-52 loss tonight. UConn was 3 deep. Lots of buzz about a possible 2nd semester enrollment https://t.co/FtSZrdWetu
— Jerry Meyer (@jerrymeyer247) December 21, 2016
Meyer also changed his 247 Crystal Ball pick to UConn for Diallo. Rivals.com's William Paxton is also hearing the buzz about Diallo landing at UConn, but it may be a more complicated situation than it already sounds.
if Hamidou Diallo passes through NCAA clearinghouse, no reason he cAn't play for college team second semester #UConn
— William Paxton (@wspaxton) December 21, 2016
Heard from source Hamidou Diallo joining #UConn for 2nd semester is 'complicated' situation at the moment ... should know more later in week
— William Paxton (@wspaxton) December 21, 2016
A five-star shooting guard out of out of Queens, Diallo is one of the highest rated recruits in the high school Class of 2017. The 6-5, 195-pound guard is ranked by 247 as their No. 9 overall prospect and top shooting guard.
The 247 Crystal Ball still has UK as the favorite, but that could change if Diallo is planning on enrolling early. It's unclear if UK has room for him. They have 11 original scholarship players on the roster, but they usually give one or more of their remaining free scholarships to walk-ons.
Diallo has previously stated that skipping college and going straight to the NBA is something he's considering. That's not kept John Calipari from continuing to recruit him, but it is making Cal more willing to keep his options open in terms of 2017 guards.
The five-star shooting has a final list of UK, Kansas, UConn, Syracuse, Indiana and Arizona. He is eligible for the 2017 NBA Draft, but has said he's "100 percent" set on attending college for at least a year. I feel good about UK being the pick if he waits until the summer, but if he decides now, it looks like the Huskies may pull this one off.
UK and Diallo did have mutual interest in him reclassifying into the 2016 class and joining UK for this season (UConn was also an option for this), so perhaps him coming in the second semester has been discussed as well.