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The Kentucky Wildcats have four players ranked among ESPN’s updated NBA Draft big board.
That ranking includes the top 30 prospects in this year’s draft, and Kentucky has four guys ranked between 5-27. The highest is point guard De’Aaron Fox, who ESPN has ranked fifth overall:
5. De'Aaron Fox
Fox was the highest-ranked prospect to show up at the combine and do anything besides interviews. He was measured and did medicals.
His measurements came in a little shorter than expected and his weight still isn't quite cracking 170 pounds. But he was a big hit in interviews for NBA teams, and there is a handful of clubs that prefer him over Ball.
Not far behind is shooting guard Malik Monk, who is ranked seventh overall:
7. Malik Monk
Monk may end up moving up three or four spots on draft night thanks to where the Sixers and Magic fell in the lottery.
He's the best shooter and scoring guard in the draft -- by a long shot.
There’s a pretty big dropoff between Monk and the next Wildcat, which is power forward Bam Adebayo at 23rd overall:
23. Edrice Adebayo
Adebayo tested off the charts in his measurements and athletic testing portion of the combine. Teams were also impressed with his interviews.
He seems to be putting himself back into the mix as a mid-first-round pick.
Finally, shooting guard Hamidou Diallo comes in at 27th overall, making him a fringe first-round prospect:
27. Hamidou Diallo
Diallo posted the second-highest max vertical in draft combine history. He was one of the best athletes in Chicago. Whether or not he has an offensive game to match is the big question.
He has had workouts with the Celtics, Bucks, Bulls and Nets. He could become a top-10 pick in 2018 after another year at Kentucky, but only if he can prove that he can hit his jumper. Scouts are watching closely.
Seeing Diallo crack the top 30 after not previously being there reinforces the belief that he’ll be a first-round pick if he remains in the draft.
Here’s what the entire big board looks like now:
1. Markelle Fultz
2. Lonzo Ball
3. Josh Jackson
4. Jayson Tatum
5. De'Aaron Fox
6. Jonathan Isaac
7. Malik Monk
8. Dennis Smith
9. Zach Collins
10. Lauri Markkanen
11. Frank Ntilikina
12. Harry Giles
13. OG Anunoby
14. Luke Kennard
15. Donovan Mitchell
16. John Collins
17. Terrance Ferguson
18. Jarrett Allen
19. Ike Anigbogu
20. T.J. Leaf
21. Justin Patton
22. Tony Bradley
23. Edrice Adebayo
24. Ivan Rabb
25. Justin Jackson
26. Jonathan Jeanne
27. Hamidou Diallo
28. Frank Jackson
29. D.J. Wilson
30. Moritz Wagner