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Hamidou Diallo Withdraws From 2017 NBA Draft

May 25, 2017 10:51 AM

Hamidou Diallo has decided to withdraw from the 2017 NBA Draft and return to Kentucky.

Diallo graduated from high school and enrolled at Kentucky in January. Diallo didn't play in any games and redshirted the spring semester.

Diallo participated in the combine, posting the second highest vertical lead in history.

Several teams in twenties of the first round were serious about selecting Diallo but he didn't receive a guarantee high enough to stay in the draft.

"Just isn't enough of a body of work to make a commitment on him now," said one general manager high on Diallo.

Adrian Wojnarowski/The Vertical

Tags: Hamidou Diallo, Kentucky Wildcats, NBA, NBA Misc Rumor, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General, NBA Draft Withdrawals

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De'Aaron Fox: I Feel Like I'm The Best Player In This Draft

May 24, 2017 1:38 PM

De'Aaron Fox increased his draft stock as his freshman season at Kentucky progressed. Fox has received consideration at the top of the draft.

"I feel like I’m the best player in this draft no matter what," said Fox. "But seeing the lottery and how things fell, I feel like I wouldn’t slot past five. And I feel like if I perform well in my workouts I could move up."

Fox is one of many talented point guards in the class. Fox was asked how he stands out compared to Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball and Dennis Smith.

"In college, I got to the basket whenever I wanted. I felt like I created better. Defensively, I feel like that really separated me. Those guys—Markelle is a great scorer, he’s able to distribute; Lonzo is a great passer; Dennis [Smith], his athleticism and being able to score is phenomenal. But I feel like defensively, that’s what sets me apart. But I can also create and I feel like I can create better than those guys and they’re all phenomenal players."

Fox was asked if he cares where he gets drafted.

"Honestly, no. For me, I look at the fit. Not the city or the culture of the city because I can adapt to that. But I feel like it has to be a good spot for me to play."

While Fox played well in his head-to-head matchups against Ball, he realizes there's a lot more to the decision-making of teams than those two games.

"People bring up the head-to-head a lot. If you were to go based off the head-to-head then why wouldn’t you pick me? But people don’t go off of two games. He had a hell of a season, I had a hell of a season. We’ll see where the chips fall."

Adam Caparell/Complex

Tags: De'Aaron Fox, Kentucky Wildcats, NBA, NBA NBA Draft, NBA Draft General

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