Despite Kentucky unraveling as a program this season, point guard Rob Dillingham emerged as a star over the course of the campaign. He decided to follow the path of most Wildcats and enter the NBA draft after just one season and becomes one of the most intriguing prospects in 2024. Here’s a look at his scouting profile ahead of the event.
Rob Dillingham Draft Profile
Dillingham shined in one of the best offenses in college basketball last season, averaging 15.2 points per game on 47/44/80 shooting splits. Even though Kentucky fell flat in the NCAA tournament and Dillingham struggled, these numbers are exciting for NBA personnel. The point guard is an all-around star offensively, though there might be questions about whether he can duplicate that at the NBA level.
Strengths
The quickness stands out, and Dillingham will get better at using it to get to his spots with more reps. He’s lights out from the perimeter, which opens up a lot of driving lanes as well for him. He didn’t stand out as a distributor at Kentucky due to splitting usage with Reed Sheppard but he could theoretically handle that type of responsibility. Dillingham plays with plenty of energy, which helps him overcome his size on the offensive end.
Weaknesses
Dillingham wasn’t a great defender in college, and he’s unlikely to be one in the NBA due to his lack of size. His effort levels will mitigate that to a certain extent. He was able to create separation against lesser opponents in college but that doesn’t always translate to a league with better overall players. Will Dillingham’s efficiency remain at elite levels when the competition gets better?
Player comparison: Tyrese Maxey
It took Maxey, an undersized Kentucky guard, to establish himself as a star in Philadelphia’s rotation. He’s now set to receive a huge contract extension. Dillingham plays with a similar level of energy and has the flash, although he might not reach Maxey’s heights as quickly.