The futures of two NBA prospects seem to be shaping up in the month before the draft. Both Cheick Diallo and Malachi Richardson have officially decided to stay in the draft, according to ESPN’s Chad Ford. They were previously without representation, meaning they had the option of withdrawing from the draft and retaining their college eligibility.
For Diallo, the decision comes on the heels of an impressive Draft Combine where he turned many heads. The Kansas big man hardly played in his one season of NCAA play, but his combine measurements and play were impressive enough for his draft stock to rise from second rounder to an almost guaranteed first round pick. DraftExpress currently has the center listed as the 25th best prospect in the draft.
Richardson is a more interesting case. As reported by Bleacher Report, the Syracuse shooting guard was waiting on word of whether he would be a guaranteed first round pick before deciding to stay in the draft. With Ford now reporting that he is indeed keeping his name in the fold, it seems apparent that at least one team has told him that he would be drafted early.
Richardson also played one season of NCAA basketball and was somewhat unproductive until the end of the season. That the freshman feels confident about his draft stock is somewhat surprising. However, he is a shooting guard who can space the floor and that type of player is coveted by many teams. While DraftExpress lists him as the 37th best prospect on the board, it is not out of the question that he flies up several spots and gets the first round status he covets.
We are still over a month away from the draft and private workouts and interviews will play a huge role in where Cheick Diallo and Malachi Richardson fall in the draft. However, it seems apparent that the two feel confident enough to forego their college eligibility and take the step to the next part of their careers.
