The SEC Basketball Tournament Quarterfinals not only saw the departure of John Calipari from Kentucky, but also the decision of freshman guard Rob Dillingham to enter the NBA Draft. With his potential in the draft being quite uncertain, Dillingham is anticipated to be a top-10 or even top-5 pick.
Known for his scoring ability, Dillingham is considered a bucket getter with exceptional dribbling skills. He can quickly drive to the basket and is proficient in midrange and 3-point shooting. Despite his offensive strengths, Dillingham lacks in size and is criticized for his defensive skills. This leads to comparisons with players like Trae Young, raising doubts about his future role in the NBA.
NBA front offices are now evaluating Dillingham closely as he embarks on his journey to the draft. His projected landing spot is estimated to be anywhere between the fourth and eighth picks in the first round. The challenge for teams in that range is to determine if Dillingham’s scoring abilities outweigh his defensive limitations, and whether he can evolve into a successful point guard or remain a valuable bench scorer similar to players like Lou Williams or Jamal Crawford. The upcoming draft will reveal which team will take a chance on Dillingham and how they envision his role in their team.
