By Keith Taylor
Kentucky Today
This is the fourth in a series of stories and profiles taking a look at this year’s Kentucky men’s basketball team ahead of Big Blue Madness, set for Oct. 13.
Hamidou Diallo has no regrets on his decision to return to Kentucky and is ready to showcase his skills after sitting out during the second half of the season last year.
“I’m ready, motivated and ready to compete,” Diallo said. “I’m ready to go out there and show everybody what I bring to the table, lead these guys around me and I just can’t wait to win.”
In what turned out to be a last-minute decision, Diallo opted against entering the NBA Draft last summer. He admitted the choice between turning pro and returning to college wasn’t an easy one. He added that going through workouts with several professional teams also was a beneficial experience.
“It was a tough decision,” Diallo said. “It was 50-50 the whole way. I’m just happy I made the decision that I did and I’m happy where I am. I understand the game more being able to train with professionals. That was the biggest thing. It definitely helped my game.”
The toughest part of the past 10 months for Diallo was sitting on the bench wondering what could have been instead of watching from the sidelines. Although hard to endure, Diallo knew it was an experience to prepare him for this season.
“That was the toughest thing that I had to deal with the whole year,” Diallo said. “Nobody really wants to sit on a bench the whole time knowing that they never get a chance to go in. A couple times, I mean I wanted to get up and go (play). It was a plan. It’s not easy. I don’t know how it feels (to play in a game) and I would love to get the opportunity to know how it feels.”
Behind the scenes, Diallo was allowed to practice, which gave him an opportunity to compete against three NBA Draft picks and other more experienced players on last year’s roster. He also learned to be more patient.
“I mean I learned a lot,” he said. “I learned what I bring to the table and the type of player that I am. I learned a bunch of things that I need to work on to be successful. I feel like it was a great experience. If I had to do it again I would do it again. (I also learned) just remain focused. That’s the main thing I learned from last year.”
Since he arrived at Kentucky, Diallo has gained between 10-15 pounds and is more mature and confident on the court.
“I’ve had a great time here and since I came from January I’m a much better person,” he said. “I’m much more established and my skill set is so much better so I feel like it’s just been a great experience.”
Diallo hasn’t played a college game yet, but will be counted on to be one of the leaders on a team that features seven newcomers and no seniors and is looking forward leading the Wildcats this season.
“It’s something that I haven’t shied away from,” Diallo said. “It’s something that I’ve been doing since I’ve been told (to be a leader). I feel like we are all basketball players at the end of the day and. I don’t really look at age that much. Maybe I’m wrong for doing that. I really look it feel like when we get on the court, we’re just all basketball players. Some are more experienced than others.”
Diallo admitted it will “definitely be a long road” but likes the team’s chances of making a long run in the postseason and competing for a ninth national championship.
“We haven’t played one game so us thinking about a national championship right now, then we’re not focused,” he said. “Right now, we’re just focused on taking it one game at a time and just trying to be prepared for when that time does come. Hopefully that is what we accomplish, definitely goal, but something that we’re not really focused on as much. We’re just going to prepare for Game 1.”
And that’s when Diallo will get his chance to finally play a game in a Kentucky uniform.
“I honestly can’t wait,” Diallo said. “I’m looking at the schedule, and we have a great schedule and it’s going to be very competitive. Every game we come up we have a target on our back and that’s why it’s going to be important for us to be ready.”
Keith Taylor is sports editor for Kentucky Today. Reach him at Keith.taylor@kentuckytoday.com or twitter @keithtaylor21.