The Washington Wizards underwhelming campaign is almost coming to a close. Washington recently dropped its 62nd game of the season after a 125-120 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at home on Wednesday night. As the season wanes, it is time for the Washington front office to look toward the draft that takes place in June. Furthermore, a recent mock draft from Bleacher Report has the Wizards selecting Kentucky star guard Rob Dillingham. How would the Wildcats guard fit in the nation’s capital?
Washington Wizards Select Premier Guard According to Mock Draft
Who is Rob Dillingham?
Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham was a five-star recruit out of the Combine Academy in Lincolnton, North Carolina. As a junior, he transferred to Donda Academy in Simi Valley, California, a school created by musical artist Kanye West. Additionally, Dillingham played professionally (2022-2023) for the Cold Hearts in the Overtime Elite basketball league that features players between the ages of 16-20 year-olds. Furthermore, Dillingham went on to have a promising freshman campaign for the Wildcats. In 2023, Dillingham earned Second-team All-SEC honors, SEC Sixth Man of the Year, and made the SEC-All Freshman Team, respectively.
Furthermore, Dillingham averaged 15.2 points, 3.9 assists, and shot 47.5 percent from the field in 2023. Moreover, the former five-star recruit stands at six-foot-three, 176Ib, and is known for his consistent shot-making ability from mid-range and solid playmaking skills. Dillingham’s lack of size is a question mark, as it plays a factor in his ability to be effective on the defensive end.
Dillingham’s skillset allows him to create shots and is one of the prominent reasons he’s a projected late-lottery pick. Additionally, the Kentucky guard is elusive when attacking the basket and exhibits supreme ball-handling ability.
Rob Dillingham getting shifty with it. pic.twitter.com/oEBqPFnLQF
— Kentucky Men’s Basketball (@KentuckyMBB) November 25, 2023
In a game against Marshall, Dillingham is leading a fast break and blows by the initial defender by doing a savvy behind-the-back dribble move. The 19-year-old guard continues to push the tempo, attacks the paint and finishes at the basket while eluding contact from another defender. Dillingham’s prowess as an offensive asset is on full display in the clip.
How Would The Wizards Use Dillingham?
The Wizards could use any kind of talent on its roster, especially on the offensive side. Dillingham’s play style is similar to former NBA players such as Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams, who both thrived in the NBA as sixth-men. Crawford and Williams have both won the sixth-man of the year award three times each, respectively. Crawford and Williams provided their respective teams with an offensive spark whenever they stepped foot on the court off the bench. Defensively, Williams and Crawford weren’t expected to be defensive show-stoppers, but were asked to just aid the team offensively and have even taken over games completely at times.
Dillingham’s role was similar this past season at Kentucky. If the current Kentucky guard can fill out his six-foot-three frame, perhaps he could improve on the defensive end and be able to absorb contact from players at the NBA level.
Wizards point guard Tyus Jones is currently on an expiring contract after this season. If Dillingham is drafted by Washington and Jones isn’t brought back, he may have a strong chance at getting repetitions as a starter.
The Last Word
Wizards interim head coach Brian Keefe won’t be back next season, but if Keefe remains part of the coaching staff in 2024, it would benefit Dillingham immensely based on his reputation as a developer of young players such as Kevin Durant and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Dillingham is an eye-popping, savvy, and dynamic scorer who with maturation regarding his physical attributes and mindset could turn him into a solid contributor for Washington.
