New York Knicks: A way too early 2018 NBA Mock Draft

Few players garnered more headlines leading up to the 2017 NBA Draft than Hamidou Diallo. Diallo reclassified, enrolled at the University of Kentucky, and found himself eligible to enter the annual selection process.

Unhappy with the grades he received from NBA scouts and general managers, Diallo will instead play for the Kentucky Wildcats in 2017-18.

Diallo is one of the most freakishly athletic players the basketball world has ever seen. Standing at 6’5″ with a 6’11.25″ wingspan, Diallo complements his prototypical build for an NBA shooting guard with a ridiculous 44.5″ max vertical leap.

Diallo’s frame still needs to fill out, but in terms of his size, length, and athleticism, there aren’t many in the NBA who are as gifted as he.

The questions are found on the court, where Diallo is still a work in progress. He’s faster and more explosive than Zach LaVine, but his jump shot is still erratic and his defensive consistency will need to be proven under head coach John Calipari.

The raw abilities are in place, however, which means the New York City native will be firmly on the radar when the New York Knicks inevitably send scouts to watch Kentucky play in 2017-18.