2016 Draft Prospect: Cheick Diallo

[Drom John]

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/288c8q/picture47474790/ALTERNATES/FREE_640/KU%20loyola%20basketball%20game%20sp%20120115%20rs %200672f

Height: 6-9
Weight: 220 lbs
Date of Birth: 09/13/1996
Team: Kansas
Hometown: Kayes, Mali

DraftExpress (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Cheick-Diallo-71440/) #33
NBADraft.net (http://www.nbadraft.net/players/cheick-diallo) #23

Metro by Matt Burke, 3 May 2016
29. San Antonio Spurs

[Drom John]

Bleacher Report by Joseph Zucker, 5 May 2016

29 San Antonio Spurs

[Drom John]

Basketball Insiders by Moke Hamilton, 11 May 2016
29. San Antonio Spurs

[Drom John]

Walter Football by Written by Paul Banks of the Washington Times, and David Kay of the The Sports Bank. 13 May 2016


San Antonio Spurs: Cheick Diallo, PF, Kansas, 6-9, Fr.

The Spurs have an aging frontcourt and could use some young options. Diallo struggled to find steady minutes at Kansas, but plays with terrific energy, attacking the glass and using his athleticism to his advantage on both ends. He is a project big man but worth the gamble at this point.

[Drom John]

Fox Sports by By Aaron Torres Aaron_Torres
May 18, 2016 at 9:00a ET


29. San Antonio Spurs: Cheick Diallo, F, Kansas

No one drafts better than the Spurs, so it only makes sense that they somehow, magically end up with a guy at No. 29 overall who was projected by some as a Top 10 pick before the season. Diallo was planning to stay in the draft only if he got a first-round guarantee, so it makes sense that he lands somewhere in this range.

[Drom John]

USA Today: NBA mock draft: Sixers win Simmons sweepstakes
Derek Bodner, Special for USA TODAY Sports 9:33 p.m. EDT May 17, 2016


Diallo had as strong of a combine as anybody, and reminded executives of his long-term potential. That showing was enough for Diallo to hire an agent and fully commit to the draft, and he has the chance to rise up into the first round.

[Drom John]

Bleacher Report: NBA Draft 2016: Complete 1st-Round Mock Draft and Sleepers to Watch
By Timothy Rapp , Featured Columnist May 21, 2016

29 San Antonio Spurs Cheick Diallo, PF, Kansas

[Drom John]

USA Today: NBA mock draft: Looking at team needs
Derek Bodner, Special for USA TODAY Sports 1 p.m. EDT May 23, 2016
with new quote.


With the uncertainty around Tim Duncan’s future (we’ve been writing about this for a decade), more depth in the front court could be welcomed in San Antonio, and Diallo has the physical tools to be an interesting project. And doesn’t San Antonio always cause these projects to reach their potential? If they do, Diallo has a lot of it.

[Drom John]

The Detroit News: Rod Beard's NBA Mock Draft 1.0
Rod Beard, The Detroit News 6:43 p.m. EDT May 24, 2016


29. Spurs: Cheick Diallo, 6-9, PF, Kansas: They don’t know what Tim Duncan and David West, who have player options, are going to do. The disappointing early exit in the playoffs may mean that they choose to get a pick who might play quickly, and Diallo raised some eyebrows since his single season at Kansas.

[Drom John]

2016 NBA Mock Draft: Consensus Ver 3.0 By Basketball Insiders
on May 25, 2016

Alex Kennedy (1 of four)
has Diallo at 29.

[Drom John]

Hoops Habit:2016 NBA Mock Draft: Updated Upside Comparisons
by Maxwell Ogden 2 hours ago [AKA 30 May 2016]


29 CHEICK DIALLO Forward/Center, Kansas Jayhawks
Ultimate Upside Comparison: Kenyon Martin
Safe Upside Comparison: Taj Gibson
Age: 19 (3/18/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’9”, 219 pounds, 7’4.5”
Slash Line: .569/.000/.556
Season Averages: 7.5 MPG, 3.0 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 0.6 ORPG, 0.9 BPG

Key Strengths

Physical prototype for a modern big man.
Elite defensive potential.
Athletically gifted. Runs the floor well, easily plays above the rim.
Dominant shot-blocker. 4.6 blocks per 40 minutes.
Rebounding. Averaged 13.5 total rebounds and 3.4 offensive rebounds per 40 minutes.

Key Weaknesses

100 percent upside.
Limited experience and exposure.
Fundamentally raw on both ends.
Lacks a dependable go-to skill in isolation.

Analysis

The San Antonio Spurs are building the future of the organization around small forward Kawhi Leonard and power forward LaMarcus Aldridge. Beyond those two players, however, is an understated sense of uncertainty.

Thus, the optimal move for the Spurs is an investment in the best player available: Cheick Diallo.

Diallo is a mystery, but his per 40 averages of 13.5 rebounds, 3.4 offensive boards, and 4.6 blocks offer a glimpse into what he can provide. He has the physical tools to be a modern NBA center at 6’9” with a near 7’5” wingspan, explosive leaping ability, and extraordinary defensive potential.

He’s far from a sure thing, but the Spurs need to aim high, and Diallo is the right player to do so with.

Diallo compares physically and athletically to Chicago Bulls big man Taj Gibson, who has become one of the better defensive players in the NBA. He has a lot of Kenyon Martin in his game, as well, which could make him the ideal complement to both Aldridge and Leonard in the frontcourt.

Diallo is a project, but Gregg Popovich is the perfect coach to take on that challenge.

[duncan2150]

Adam Zagoria: Former Kansas big man Cheick Diallo impressed in San Antonio workout against Stephen Zimmerman & Damian Jones, source says. Has Phoenix Thurs (http://hoopshype.com/social/).

[ace3g]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT6H0451u3E

[Drom John]

Christopher Kline's Blog: 2016 NBA Mock Draft 3.0
Christopher Kline, JUN 3, 2016


29. San Antonio Spurs PF Cheick Diallo, Kansas

Despite his struggles with Kansas this season, Diallo has established himself as a first round talent with his defensive aptitude and excellent energy on the boards. He has an excellent build underneath, possessing the length and bulkiness needed to serve as a capable rim protector from day one at the next level. His mobility and athletic prowess also makes him someone who could operate well in the pick-and-roll for San Antonio, while giving them needed two-way depth behind an aging frontcourt.

[Drom John]

Bleacher Report: NBA Draft 2016: Full 1st-Round Mock Draft, Most Surprising Potential Picks
By Alex Ballentine , Featured Columnist Jun 8, 2016

29. San Antonio Spurs Cheick Diallo F/C Kansas

[bluebellmaniac]

Incredibly long arms. Such wingspan and reach!

[ace3g]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z76fR-rX9I

[duncan2150]

Maybe that's the guy the spurs want. He's very long, can protect the rim with energy and he's just 19 years old.

[SPURt]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z76fR-rX9I
What a strange interview. I wouldn't mind seeing this kid in silver and black

[Drom John]

Tankathon: 2016 NBA Mock Draft
Player Rankings updated about 14 hours ago [AKA 15 June 2016]

[Drom John]

CBS NBA: NBA Mock Draft 2016: Denzel Valentine takes big dive due to possible knee issue
The 2015-16 AP national player of the year was initially projected as a potential lottery pick
by Gary Parrish
Thursday, Jun 16, 2016


29. San Antonio Spurs
Cheick Diallo, C, Kansas: Diallo measured and tested well at the combine -- then played well in the five-on-five games. He was active. He rebounded. He guarded. Simply put, the 6-9 forward genuinely helped himself by reminding scouts why he was once a projected lottery pick. And now it looks like that subpar season at Kansas won't cost Diallo too much money. And he'd be a great fit with San Antonio, which needs and athletic big.

[Drom John]

FOX Sports: 2016 NBA Mock Draft 3.0
We're now just hours away from the draft. Here is who your team WILL select in the first round.
By Aaron Torres  Aaron_Torres
Jun 22, 2016 at 9:00a ET

Slightly new quote:


29. San Antonio Spurs: Cheick Diallo, F, Kansas

Diallo likely wouldn't have stayed in the draft if he wasn't given a first-round guarantee, and as a big, smart, high-energy player who doesn't need to score to be effective, he could be a perfect fit in the Spurs system.

Isn't it just like the Spurs to draft a player at No. 29 who was projected by many as a top 10 pick in the preseason?

[Drom John]

FanSided: Hardwood Paroxysm Presents: 2016 NBA Mock Draft
Welcome to the 2016 NBA Draft. Let’s have some fun.
by Hardwood Paroxysm
23 hours ago [aka 22 June 2016]


With the 29th pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, the San Antonio Spurs select: Cheick Diallo, F/C, Kansas

Statement from GM Brendon Kleen (@BrendonKleen14): In the end, it came down to a choice between two needs, and Diallo’s size, athleticism and defensive potential was impossible to pass up, even with the incredibly talented scorer Juan Hernangomez still on the board. In Diallo, we have found a player who can immediately make an impact on the defensive end — a need that was highlighted in our second round loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder this year. With the departure of Tiago Splitter last year, the continued degradation of Tim Duncan’s health and ability, and David West’s recent opt out, a big man became a monstrous need. Diallo’s unique combination of size and foot speed make him a perfect frontcourt partner for LaMarcus Aldridge, who we would like to ease off of such a heavy load of minutes at the center position next season. There is still work to be done in the big man rotation, and Diallo will need to become more settled and comfortable on offense, but we feel we’ve found a player with the skills and motor to improve into exactly the player we need.

[Drom John]

Newday: Al Iannazzone’s 2016 NBA mock draft
Updated June 22, 2016 5:46 PM
By Al Iannazzone


Chieck Diallo

6-9, 220F, Kansas, Fr.

They have been an aging team for years and will have to address that eventually. They can wait a bit for someone to develop. Diallo could go higher, but if he’s here it might be worth using the pick on an active big man, who can protect the paint and rebound. Damian James is a possibility.

[Spurs9]

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