He was one of prospects to watch during “March Madness” because Rob Dillingham is considered a guaranteed Top 10 at the next Draft, being outright announced in the Top 5 by certain specialists.
Without much surprise, he therefore announced on ESPN having chosen to leave the NCAAand more precisely its university of Kentuckyin order to fly to NBA.
“ It's a decision I made with my family ” did he declare. “ I feel ready. Coach Calipari taught me a lot about becoming a better teammate and that it's not always just about me. »
Now represented by Klutch Sports, Rob Dillingham at the same time renounces his university eligibility, after only one season spent in the NCAA, under the orders of John Calipari, therefore. A “Coach Cal” who also leaves the Wildcats to go to Arkansas, after fifteen years spent at Kentucky and a final failure in the first round of “March Madness”.
Another Wildcat drafted very high?
Coming back to Rob Dillingham, he is coming off a year averaging 15.2 points, 3.9 assists and 2.9 rebounds, 48% shooting (including 44% from 3-point range) and 80% on free throws. Part of the long tradition of “combo guards” drafted after their departure from Kentucky (Devin Booker, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jamal Murray, De'Aaron Fox, Tyrese Maxey, Tyler Herro and Immanuel Quickley, etc.), he was named Sixth Man of the Year and selected in the second best five in the SEC conference.
“ It's been a season of ups and downs, with lots of great moments » he nevertheless appreciated. “ We won a lot of games with a young team, it was a great learning experience and it was great to share that with my teammates. I learned to be there for everyone, because that's what wins us games. »
On June 26, thanks to his explosiveness and creativity, Rob Dillingham has a good chance of being called up very early by Adam Silver, just like his now ex-teammate Reed Sheppard. Despite a failed first round of “March Madness”, both collectively and individually (10 points at 2/9 shooting) against Oakland.
“ It doesn't matter what position I'm picked at, even if it's 60th, because I want to go to a team that trusts me and that can help me develop, that I can progress with, and that can make me better » he concluded. “ I just want to help my team win and that they can develop me, teach me things. Anyone can become special if they put themselves into it mentally. You just have to have confidence and it's all about mentally setting yourself up for it.. »
