2016 NBA Mock Draft: Bender and Hield Both Drop

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81. . C. Kansas. Cheick Diallo. 27. player

Dec 1, 2015; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks forward Cheick Diallo (13) dunks the ball against the Loyola-Maryland Greyhounds in the second half at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won the game 94-61. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports /

Cheick Diallo didn’t have the freshman season many anticipated. He missed Kansas’ first five games of the season while dealing with an eligibility battle with the NCAA. As the season progressed, he played a marginal role for the Jayhawks, not even participating in half a dozen games.

Diallo played like he was supposed to in the five-on-five games at the combine. Diablo showed his motor with his activity and rebounding. The 6-9 forward helped his draft stock by reminding scouts why he was a projected lottery pick before the 2015-16 season.

The return of Bismarck Byombo is uncertain. Byombo is going to command near-max money in free agency and the Raptors won’t be able to afford him after they sign DeMar DeRozan to a max contract. Diablo gives the Raptors more depth in the front court, and Diallo has the physical tools to be an interesting project behind Jonas Valanciunas.

Diallo’s lack of experience and he still has a lot of developing to do with his frame. But this means the former Jayhawk still has plenty of room to improve on both ends of the court. At times, he looked a little to sped up at times, which isn’t surprising to many, considering he’s still young.

Even though he’s played little high-level basketball to this point in his life, Diallo has a lot of upside.

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