Where Cheick Diallo ranks vs. Bill Self's other Kansas NBA Draft picks
Diallo is one of the most mysterious and unpredictable potential lottery selection in this year's draft
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4 min read
With the NBA Draft now less than a month away, we're taking a look at a number of projected or likely first-round picks and comparing them to those who came before -- at the very same school.
The comparison game is a favorite among fans, scouts, GMs and scribes, but for fun, we're going to narrow the gap to only looking at specific schools. We're starting the series with Kansas and its only projected first round pick of 2016: Cheick Diallo. The 19-year-old also provides a challenge. Truth be told, Bill Self's never really had a player like him before. He arrived as a five-star recruit who was forced to miss a lot of time due to the NCAA looking into his academic eligibility.
Because of that, Diallo fell behind on the court, was never used in the way Self thought he'd use him, and now he's off to the NBA in a weak draft year based largely on potential. It's certainly not because of what he did on the floor for KU in 2015-16, because really, the tape doesn't show too much. Still, Diallo's measurements and reputation from his prep days have kept him in the convo to be a late lottery pick.
But which Kansas player does he most resemble? Look below for more. The takeaway from this, outside of the Diallo stuff: Bill Self continues to be among the very best coaches in college, but the reality is KU players have not thrived in the pros after leaving Self's system. Why is that?
(Offensive rating and Player Efficiency Rating (PER) are from RealGM's player database. All measures are via Draft Express' database. Height with shoes on.)
Kansas freshman Cheick Diallo
Dossier
Height: 6 feet, 9 inches
Weight: 219
Wingspan: 7 feet, 4.5 inches
Standing reach: 8 feet, 11.5 inches
Max vertical reach: 11 feet, 10.5 inches
Career college stat line: 3.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 98.3 ORtg, 20.5 PER
Projected range in NBA draft: 20-30
Body-wise, most closely resembles: Julian Wright
At the pre-draft camp in 2007, Wright was measured a half inch shorter and eight pounds lighter than Diallo is now. His wingspan was two inches shorter and his standing reach was a half-inch shorter. His max vertical reach was an inch shorter than Diallo's is now.
Stat-wise, most closely resembles: Josh Selby
You might think that a guy who played so little at such a powerhouse program would not have a comparison in the numbers, but remember the plight of Selby at KU. He was harangued by the NCAA, just as Diallo was, and left after one year, just as Diallo has. Selby averaged 7.6 points, 2.1 assists and played 19 minutes per game. Still stronger numbers than Diallo who, frankly, just did not adapt quickly enough to Self's schemes to warrant the playing time.
Can be better than: Sasha Kaun, Wayne Simien, Thomas Robinson, Darnell Jackson
Kaun is currently with Cleveland but spent time in the D-League this year after a multi-year stint overseas. Simien lasted two years in the Association before moving on. Jackson was around for four seasons. Robinson was a stud the year he left for the draft, but he's averaging less than five points and five rebounds for his career -- with five teams. Diallo's potential is certainly better than that. Chances are good he can be a regular rotation player for at least five seasons.
Probably won't be as good as: Mario Chalmers, Marcus Morris, Markieff Morris
Chalmers has been a factor on two title-winning teams and become of the better second-round picks of the past decade. It's not that Diallo won't necessarily be able to match Chalmers' impact, it's just not something to bet on. The Morris twins, statistically, have been better than Chalmers, too. (By the way, Wiggins and Embiid could eventually enter this discussion, it's just they're so young -- Embiid hasn't even played yet! -- so holding the jury here.)
Most probable career arc/impact: Brandon Rush
This section is not about comparing skill set styles, body types or positions. It's purely a projection of the safest forecast for a player. Rush was taken 13th, which is around where Diallo should go. He's at 7.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 22.0 minutes in his ongoing, seven-year career. Not too high, not too low of a ceiling for Diallo. Truth be told, although KU has had so many players drafted in the past 12 years (list below), there isn't a great NBA comp for Diallo's game. He's very much a new breed for Self and KU.
Kansas players drafted under Bill Self
2015: Kelly Oubre (15th)
2014: Andrew Wiggins (first), Joel Embiid (third)
2013: Ben McLemore (seventh), Jeff Withey (39th)
2012: Thomas Robinson (fifth), Tyshawn Taylor (41st)
2011: Markieff Morris (13th), Marcus Morris (14th), Josh Selby (49th)
2010: Cole Aldrich (11th), Xavier Henry (12th)
2009: N/A
2008: Brandon Rush (13th), Darrell Arthur (27th), J.R. Giddens (30th), Mario Chalmers (34th), Darnell Jackson (52nd), Sasha Kaun (56th)
2007: Julian Wright (13th)
2006: N/A
2005: Wayne Simien (29th)
2004: N/A
OVERVIEW
Total players drafted: 19
Lottery picks: 10
First round: 12
Average career college stat line of KU first rounders : 11.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.5 apg, 24.1 mpg, 114.2 ORtg, 21.1 PER
Average career NBA stat line of KU first rounders : 6.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.1 apg, 16.3 mpg, 99.5 ORtg, 11.4 PER
Total All-Star games for all KU players: 0
Average number of teams per player: 2.2
