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2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 26: The Timberwolves’ young core improves

By Chris Stone

Jan 14, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) gets the rebound against the Stanford Cardinal in the first half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) gets the rebound against the Stanford Cardinal in the first half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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23

Hamidou Diallo

SG, Kentucky

Draft status: In without an agent

The Toronto Raptors are no strangers to taking on projects in the NBA Draft. Most recently, they took Bruno Caboclo with the No. 20 pick in 2014. Although they’ve seemingly taken safer players the last two years, perhaps 2017 is a time to swing for the fences on a young prospect with loads of potential, but an uncertain present.

Kentucky guard Hamidou Diallo is the Thon Maker of this draft in the sense that he’s entering it having never played a game of either college or professional basketball. Diallo was enrolled in prep school after graduating high school last spring when he decided to join the Wildcats’ program last semester in order to compete against better players. It was known that Diallo wouldn’t play this season — it’s really hard to get up to speed starting at semester — and now he’s testing the NBA Draft waters.

So, what makes Diallo both an intriguing project and a bit of a challenge? The 6-foot-5 guard with a 6-foot-10 wingspan may be the best athlete in the entire class. That physical toolkit would give an organization a nice canvas to work with. He’s a good cutter, can attack in a straight line and has all the defensive potential in the world, but his game is far from refined. Diallo’s jumper isn’t there, something that is virtually a must for a wing in the modern NBA, and the defense could be good, but isn’t yet. Toronto would be taking a risk with the No. 23 pick, but it could be one that pays off if Diallo reaches his upside.