Hamidou Diallo is wrapping up his official visit to UK, but was it enough to give the Cats momentum in his recruitment?
The five-star guard is considering enrolling early at UK in addition to UConn, who he’s already visited, and Arizona, who he still plans on visiting. Diallo is easily one of the best recruits 2017 has to offer, but expecting him to come into any of these schools and make an immediate impact would be unwise.
Scout.com’s Evan Daniels said as much in an interview with KSTV. Daniels likes what he’s seen from Diallo, but thinks there is a better chance he sits out this season with whatever college he would join than actually playing significant minutes.
Daniels also likes UK’s latest commitment, Jared Vanderbilt, and doesn’t think that knocks UK out of the Kevin Knox sweepstakes, despite Knox and Vanderbilt playing the same positions.
Here is the full interview:
One other note: For what it’s worth, Diallo’s most recent 247 Crystal Ball pick is for UK, which comes as his visit is wrapping up and a recent run of UConn picks. Make of that what you will.
Spring classes at UK begin Jan. 11, so we should hear a decision either way very soon. Whatever he decides, I think Diallo ultimately ends up in the 2017 NBA Draft, but UK will certainly keep recruiting him either way.