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Hamidou Diallo’s Nike EYBL coach, Andy Borman, has been speaking with about half a dozen teams since Diallo declared for the draft, according to Adam Zagoria of Fanrag Sports.
“Hamidou already has all of the natural gifts that are required for him to be great and he also has the work ethic and desire to improve his overall game, so he is the complete package in my opinion,” Borman said. “I think the thing that truly separates Hamidou is his maturity and mentality. He will be a great pro because he is willing to be coached and will learn from the older pro’s as well.”
Diallo’s currently the No. 33 pick in the Draft Express mock. Apparently, his draft stock could change significantly if he participates in the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.
Invitations to the combine will be announced next week. If Diallo gets one, it could change a lot.
“I guess someone would take a flyer in the second round but only if he got into Chicago for the Pre-Draft Camp and competed,” an NBA exec said, according to Fanrag Sports.
Diallo performing well at the combine could make him a first-round pick, while he would hurt his stock if he goes and doesn’t do well. If he doesn’t get invited, I’d imagine he stays right around where he is.
One NBA scout thinks Diallo needs to stay put until 2018.
“That is what he should do,” an NBA scout said, according to Fanrag Sports. “He’ll play on a big stage. All their players are gone and there’s an opportunity to be a star. That equals [being a] top pick [if] he plays at a high level.”
Should Diallo attend the combine, he’ll have 10 days following that to determine whether or not he’s coming back to school. The deadline is May 25.