The Kentucky Wildcats were home to many highly-rated freshman last year. I already covered Reed Sheppard, but today I'm here to talk about the UK point guard who could go top-five, Rob Dillingham.
From: Chet White (UK Athletics)
What I Like
Dillingham provides his value on the offensive end. He is a true three level scorer, and was an efficient one at that. He can shoot it from anywhere. As a 44% three point shooter, his free throw should improve as well. My favorite thing about Dillingham is the shot creation he possesses. His silky smooth ball-handling allows him to pick his spots. It looks effortless for Dillingham on the court. Dillingham is able to finish at the rim surprisingly well for someone of his size. His athleticism allows him to get around defenders in the air.
What I Don't Like
The offensive upside of Rob Dillingham is tantalizing. Almost Maxey-esc, I can imagine a world where he becomes the offensive engine on a team. Unfortunately, his defense is quite the opposite. His defensive capabilities just are not there right now. Dillingham, with effort, could become a competent defender with his athletic profile. His size also concerns me. Like I said earlier, his height-weight combo is similar to Tyrese Maxey but smaller. He should pack on weight in the NBA, but it concerns me for his durability long-term.
Pro Comparison
I believe Dillingham can be a solid starter or an elite sixth man in the NBA. He reminds me of a turbo-charged Bones Hyland. I have referenced him a lot, but if the offense continues to improve, he could resemble a Tyrese Maxey down the line as well.
Conclusion
Rob Dillingham is the most famous player in the draft outside of Bronny James. His mixtapes have taken over the internet since he was in high school. His offensive game is ridiculously smooth, and it should project to the next level. As our draft coverage continues, I will release my positional rankings, but I am pretty certain Dillingham will be a Top-10 pick.
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