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Hamidou Diallo played just one season at Kentucky, but even in that short time, he realized how special Big Blue Nation was.
On a 2017-2018 roster loaded with talented players like Kevin Knox and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Diallo made some highlight-reel plays with his athleticism.
Doing their best to create a close-knit, family environment for their players, Diallo recently spoke on his time at Kentucky and why they’re the greatest program in the nation.
“You can’t walk around town and be a Kentucky player without a fan saying ‘Hi’ or wanting to take pictures with you,” Diallo said in the video below.
"It's a cool thing how the fans really take these guys in and turn them into their family as well."@hamidoudiallo makes the case for @KentuckyMBB having the best fanbase in the country pic.twitter.com/koeX1f2Wvx
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) April 14, 2020
Kentucky has a history of high-level recruits.
From John Wall to Anthony Davis to DeMarcus Cousins and more recently to players like Karl-Anthony Towns and Gilgeous-Alexander, the Wildcat name continues to bring in some players that will forever change the history of basketball.
They decide to come to Lexington for the energy, the passion and the love from the fanbase. When you the feel the crowd roar in the Lexington, it’s almost like nothing else matters and that game, that moment is everything.
Diallo had a chance to take his game to the next level and make millions. That type of an offer is something one can’t turn their back on.
The 45th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Diallo has made a name for himself at the highest level, having competed in the dunk contest as a rookie. Now in his second year, Diallo is averaging 6.1 points per game for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
That said, it’s great to hear Diallo loved his time at Big Blue Nation, potentially helping many of these high-level recruits justify foregoing the G-League’s developmental program to stay with the Wildcats.