One of the top high school prospects from the class of 2017 had a big decision ahead of him heading into the summer. Hamidou Diallo, a five-star recruit and consensus top 10 high school basketball prospect, found himself in a rare situation. Much like Thon Maker ahead of the 2016 NBA Draft, Diallo was able to leave his prep school early and either start school or begin his journey towards the NBA.
The New York guard out of Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut committed to join the University of Kentucky and he did so earlier this year towards the end of the Wildcats season. Although Diallo did not record a minute with the team, he was still around the squad and coach John Calipari during their run through the NCAA Tournament. But after the season ended, Diallo started to follow Maker’s path and he announced he would enter the 2017 NBA Draft Combine.
Last year, the NBA allowed players to enter the NBA Draft Combine, talk to some teams and pull their name out of the draft given they don’t formally hire an agent. Diallo followed those steps, had a solid showing at the combine and the hype around him grew exponentially. Many expected him to potentially be a late first round pick to a team willing to take a chance on the young prospect.
But those teams might have to wait a year. Diallo is reportedly pulling his name out of the draft and heading back to Kentucky to join an already stacked freshman class.
Following comes courtesy of Bryan Fonseca of NetsDaily and the Queens Ledger.
Source tells me that Hamidou Diallo is staying in Kentucky for a year. #NBADraft
— Bryan Fonseca (@BryanFonsecaNY) May 23, 2017
