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Brooklyn Nets should consider Hamidou Diallo in 2017 NBA Draft

By Omri Benami

Dec 18, 2016; Ft. Meyers, FL, USA; Putnam Science Mustangs gaurd Hamidou Diallo (3) handles the ball against St Anthony Yellowjackets during the first half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Ft. Meyers, FL, USA; Putnam Science Mustangs gaurd Hamidou Diallo (3) handles the ball against St Anthony Yellowjackets during the first half at Suncoast Credit Union Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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The biggest question mark in the 2017 NBA draft is an athletic guard out of Queens, New York named Hamidou Diallo, and the Brooklyn Nets should consider drafting him.

Hamidou Diallo hasn’t played in an organized game since his last game at Prep School Putnam Science Academy before Christmas. He was advised not to participate in 5-on-5 drills at the NBA draft combine. Outlets like Draftexpress and SEC Country have him coming off the board in the second round, and late first round (to the Spurs) respectively. Nevertheless, the Brooklyn Nets should draft Diallo on June 22.

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But with this lack of experience and exposure, why has his draft stock been climbing so much lately? Kentucky Coach John Calipari, who has been advising Diallo through this process, believes that the less teams know, the better:

"“They don’t know (how you play). Well, don’t show them,” Calipari said. “They all like you without watching you. Good. The more you don’t play, the more they like you, the more they’re impressed.”"

Perhaps Diallo is inspired by Thon Maker, the Bucks‘ No. 10 draft pick from 2016 who graduated in 2015 and spent a post-graduate year at his high school to gain eligibility for the NBA draft without playing a college game.

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Diallo’s rising draft status doesn’t come without merit, however. As the 11th player in the ESPN 100 class of 2017, he has a 6-foot-11 wingspan, which is huge for a guard. He also displayed an eye-popping 44.5-inch vertical at the draft combine:

https://twitter.com/FanDuel/status/862826539439837190

In his senior year, Diallo led Putnam Science to a 38-3 record and a state semifinals appearance. He averaged 19 points, six rebounds and three assists per game. This highlight video from his senior season shows his ability to shoot from long range and finish in traffic. And the dunks, well, they speak for themselves:

The Brooklyn Nets have two picks in the 2017 NBA Draft, one of which should be used on front-court depth. The other should be used on an athletic player with a high ceiling, like Diallo.

Brooklyn’s guard depth was truly tested last season, and the number of teams looking to sign Milos Teodosic is increasing by the day. Sean Marks would be smart to mitigate the risk he signs elsewhere and shore up the guard depth in the draft.

That’s not to say that Diallo would serve as depth, because the kid has true superstar potential. He would have been a lottery pick had he played for Kentucky this season, and he’s only 19 years old.

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Marks has the potential to use this draft to compensate for Brooklyn’s lack of future draft picks. He took a risk last year and drafted a four-year college player in Caris LeVert. That seems to have worked out well.

Taking Diallo has the potential to reap even more benefits. Quality guard depth will be scarce by the time the Nets pick at No. 22, and depending on how the first-round plays out, I would be fine with them taking a particular player who is high on the draft board. But they shouldn’t let Diallo get past their No. 27 pick.

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If the Nets don’t draft him, the Lakers at No. 28 or Spurs at No. 29 will. Gregg Popovich could turn him into a superstar. His prodigy Sean Marks should jump at the opportunity to do so himself.