LAS VEGAS – Hustle doesn’t go into slumps. Energy isn’t streaky. Effort doesn’t depend on luck or a fortuitous bounce of the ball.
New Orleans rookie and No. 33 overall draft pick Cheick Diallo is just 19 years old and has only played basketball in any serious fashion for a handful of years. But one thing he’s already figured out is that if he plays as hard as he possible, the results will come. That’s been the case in NBA Summer League over the past week for the Kansas product, one of the most productive second-round draftees in Las Vegas.
Entering Thursday’s Round of 16 tournament action, Diallo was nearly averaging a double-double, at 10.5 points, 9.3 rebounds (fifth in the league) and 2.0 blocks (seventh among players with at least two appearances). Aside from one quiet outing vs. Sacramento in pool play, the native of Mali has been a factor every game, including double-doubles vs. Utah (12 points, 11 rebounds, 4 blocks) and Miami (14 points, 12 rebounds). Diallo averaged just 3.0 points in his lone college season with the Jayhawks, but has been opportunistic and efficient in summer league (51.4 percent from the field, seventh among all players with at least 25 attempts).
Playing for a summer team that wants to push the pace – but probably hasn’t been as successful in doing that as the big-league Pelicans will be – Diallo has frequently beat defenses down the court, something New Orleans saw in him even prior to his brief college career.
“He has some skills right now that can translate to the NBA,” Pelicans Director of Player Personnel David Booth said, just prior to summer league. “Watching him in the pre-draft camp and the Hoops Summit in Portland, as well as the McDonald’s (high school) All-American game, the one thing we knew he can do right now in the NBA game is run the floor. He runs the floor like a deer. He’s the first one down on offense and defense. He can block a shot and still be the first guy down the floor. He can get a rebound and still beat everyone. I think his stamina and ability to run the floor, along with his energy and competitiveness, is something he can bring on Day 1 in the NBA.”
“He’s been very energetic,” Pelicans summer head coach Robert Pack said. “He’s been relentless going after blocks, as well as rebounds. It’s been good for the coaching staff to be able to see his progress over these (summer league) games.”
Although Diallo has stressed this week that he doesn’t want to get too far outside of what he does best on offense, he’s used summer league as an opportunity to work on different elements of his game, including taking a turnaround jumper and other mid-range shots. Most of his other baskets have come off of effort, with him capitalizing on advantages in athleticism, speed and length against other big men.
“I think he was more thought of as a shot-blocker and an energy big,” Booth said of perception of Diallo after one season at Kansas. “But something we saw was he has a nice left- and righthand jump hook. He has a decent face-up game. He’s a better offensive player than people give him credit for, and I think he’ll show that in the NBA.”