Cheick Diallo, Kansas
Age: 19 years old Size: 6’9, 219 pounds
Last Season’s Stats: 3.0 points; 2.5 rebounds; 0 assists per game.
Percentages: 56.9% from the field; N/A from three-point; 56.6% from the free throw line
Chieck Diallo is everything Kenneth Faried was coming out of college except for the slight fact that Diallo is only 19 years old when Faried was a senior. Diallo is another 6-foot-9 tweener who really does not play either frontcourt position very well. What he does have is an incredible motor, a 7-foot-4.5 inch wingspan, and a defensive ceiling that is quite immense.
Diallo has epic instincts defensively. The way he can accumulate steals and rise up to block shots reminds me of Nerlens Noel. He understands how to play proper weak-side help defense and has the foot speed to switch onto smaller and quicker guards on the perimeter. Using his insane wingspan, he contests and recovers extremely well on perimeter jump shots and there have been rumors that he has already started to develop his jump shot as well. He is also a terror when running toward the rim scoring at an astonishing 1.353 points per possession when rim running. As a target in the pick and roll he could be deadly. He possesses extremely soft hands and great body control.
Diallo’s biggest issues will stem from his lack of experience. He will not be able to come in and immediately contribute. He has the tools to become an intimidating defender and may be able to use his motor and length to score in different ways but as of right now he is a project. With the Nuggets already with a vast amount of front court players on the roster its hard to envision the Nuggets reaching on someone like Diallo.
