Hamidou Diallo to Test Waters (UPDATE: DIALLO TO RETURN TO UK)

[DA#23]

^ I thought that already existed in the form of AAU. We see the quality of that "game".

Back to Diallo and implications for UK, what happened to "Succeed and Proceed" ?

I'm not as down on next year's potential as what Will seems to be, but there's so much uncertainty that I have trouble sorting things out. You get Diallo on the team, the recruits for the most part pan out, and Gabriel improves??? WHOA .

[Joneslab]

But you're speaking in general terms about a very specific situation. This isn't the same as forcing Malik Monk to state his intentions before the season begins. This kid signs up, plops himself down on the bench, then leaves everyone guessing - from teammates, to opposing coaches, to upcoming players. THEN, he drags out his decision to a crucial point in recruiting for next year's class, which complicates things even further.

You're assuming Cal didn't know this could happen.

Cal isn't going to be surprised by this in the least IMO. He might be disappointed if Diallo ultimately goes, but Cal knew the deal when he took this particular player in. It isn't like he's being played by these kids. He's totally aware of how the process works and has exploited it himself over the years.

I don't "blame" Cal for putting Kentucky in this position every year. Nor do I think it's really a farce. It's just the way Cal set the system up the second he stepped in here, and all of this is a byproduct.

The next guy will do it differently. Until then the whole program exists inside the balance of a bunch of 18- and 19-year-olds' whims.

[Dwight Schrute]

What a joke all this has become. Cal got used plain and simple. This guy never intended to stay. His handlers knew it wasn't going to hurt his stock by not playing. Probably enhanced by going to UK but never playing. I just wish UK would just say they are a minor league team for the NBA and cut the ruse of college. Because that is all it has become. They have won a lot and I like that but in the end it leaves the average fan like me feeling very hollow.

We should probably see how this plays out before making these statements.

[George]

Cal isn't going to be surprised by this in the least IMO. He might be disappointed if Diallo ultimately goes, but Cal knew the deal when he took this particular player in. It isn't like he's being played by these kids. He's totally aware of how the process works and has exploited it himself over the years.

Were you not the one who, back when Diallo joined the team, said that Cal wouldn't put himself in a situation to miss on another guard prospect* because of Diallo? Yet here we are.

*Jemarl Baker doesn't count. Nowhere near the caliber player as Diallo.

[KCKUKFan]

People who are complaining about this are selfish. These players don't owe the fans anything.

We want him to stay because it will help us win. That's all. None of us care about his personal situation or dreams.

The fans care about Kentucky winning first and the players' dreams and ambitions a far distant second (or third or fourth).

Cal is the opposite, and that's how it should be, IMO. As long as he keeps us in the hunt every single year with high-calibre basketball, I refuse to complain. I've seen crap basketball at Kentucky and while this turnover can admittedly be frustrating, the Cal era has been a blast. And in no way do I feel "hollow."

[KCKUKFan]

Were you not the one who, back when Diallo joined the team, said that Cal wouldn't put himself in a situation to miss on another guard prospect* because of Diallo? Yet here we are.

*Jemarl Baker doesn't count. Nowhere near the caliber player as Diallo.

Cal isn't putting himself in any bad situation. AHEMkevinknoxAHEM

[George]

We want him to stay because it will help us win. That's all. None of us care about his personal situation or dreams.

The fans care about Kentucky winning first and the players' dreams and ambitions a far distant second (or third or fourth).

Plenty of us - myself included - have admitted this many, many times before.

I root for these guys because they play for Kentucky. Period. Once they're gone, I care about them insomuch as they're able to promote Kentucky as pros, and provide entertainment in my general viewing of NBA basketball.

[George]

Cal isn't putting himself in any bad situation. AHEMkevinknoxAHEM

You seriously think we're getting Knox?

[KCKUKFan]

You seriously think we're getting Knox?

Honestly, I have no idea, but I think the staff feels a lot better about him than most fans or recruiting analysts do.

And there's no way that Cal would leave us without ANY NBA-calibre shooting guards on the roster. He had to have been prepared. In no way was this Diallo news a shock to him. Either he fully expects him back (as I do), or he's got an NBA-calibre guy (Knox would fit the bill) waiting in the wings.

He's given me no reason to think otherwise in his eight years here.

[Friendsofcoal]

Don't believe he lands in the first round with as stacked as this draft is, but then again nobody's seen him play in months.

I'm sure I can go back into some older threads and find where I predicted this but I won't. Nearly everyone thought I was crazy and especially you, Will. 😂

[BBNalldayeveryday]

It only makes sense for him to stay because he can potentially be a top 10 pick in next year's draft. Unless he's improved significantly over the last few months he won't be taken in the first round.

[Jload]

Why is ANYBODY surprised here. Typical move in the Cal era. UK basketball certainly isn't what it once was for me at least. I hope Cal goes pro before he retires, would be glad to see U.K.move on another direction, the basketball culture at U.K. STINKS. I agree with the poster who says we should just assign them a number with no name.

[justford]

If I do this will you still respect me in the morning?

[justford]

Maybe this is why Cal has been working so hard on recruiting guards??

[justford]

Just something to think about: Remember when kids went from high school to the NBA so he has been working out and practicing against NBA talent which should make him better. I think he has a legitimate chance of getting enough positive feedback to stay in the draft. The question is how high he would be drafted.