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2016 NBA Draft: Top 10 Boom Or Bust Prospects

By Maxwell Ogden

LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 18: Skal Labissiere #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats watches the action during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Rupp Arena on February 18, 2016 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LEXINGTON, KY - FEBRUARY 18: Skal Labissiere #1 of the Kentucky Wildcats watches the action during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Rupp Arena on February 18, 2016 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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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
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, Kansas Jayhawks

Position: Power Forward
Age: 19 (9/13/1996)
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

Entering the 2015-16 college basketball season, Cheick Diallo was listed by most as a Top 10 prospect. Ineligibility issues kept him off the court, and subsequently hindered his ability to develop a rhythm, but the Kansas Jayhawks freshman had high expectations.

Diallo has tumbled down draft boards, but he remains one of the most intriguing prospects in this draft class.

Diallo has the physical tools to be an elite defensive player at 6’9′” with near 7’5″ wingspan and high-grade athleticism. His season averages were weak, but he proved how valuable he can be with marks of 13.5 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per 40 minutes.

Throw in his average of 3.4 offensive rebounds per 40 minutes, and Diallo’s upside has been established.

The reason for Diallo’s bust potential is that he’s incredibly underdeveloped as a basketball player. He doesn’t have a skill to fall back on offensively, and the analytics craze requires more than just blocked shots from defenders in the modern NBA.

Diallo is a project player who has the tools to be special, but if he lands in the wrong situation, he may never live up to the hype.

Next: Physically Gifted

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