JUST IN: Rob Dillingham is gradually entering the territory of being considered within the top-10 picks in the NBA Draft.
Dillingham and Reed Sheppard have both made a significant impact at the beginning of the season.
The Kentucky Wildcats carry a somewhat disappointing loss to UNC Wilmington on their record, but beyond that setback, their performance has exceeded many expectations.
Whether it’s holding their own against the Kansas Jayhawks or dominating the Miami Hurricanes, the highlights of the season showcase the consistent contributions of Kentucky’s freshmen. Among them, Rob Dillingham has particularly distinguished himself, drawing notable attention from NBA Draft evaluators.
In the latest SB Nation 2024 NBA mock draft, Dillingham takes the lead as the first Wildcats player selected, going to the Charlotte Hornets at No. 7. Reed Sheppard follows, heading to the Miami Heat at No. 14, while Justin Edwards is projected to join the Indiana Pacers at No. 21, and DJ Wagner is anticipated to be selected by the New Orleans Pelicans at No. 23.
Interestingly, the mock draft excludes Aaron Bradshaw, a 5-star recruit and top-10 prospect, despite his noteworthy performance, averaging 10 points per game and shooting at an impressive 61.5% from the field. Bradshaw’s potential ascent into the top-10 picks is plausible, especially as he begins to showcase his considerable talents after recovering from early-season foot surgery.
As for Dillingham, his notable contributions include an average of 14.1 points per game, the second-highest on the team. Particularly impressive is his shooting proficiency, with a 51.4% success rate from beyond the arc, ranking second only to Reed Sheppard. Observers are drawing parallels between Dillingham’s playing style and that of Tyrese Maxey, who is currently on track for another breakthrough season with the Philadelphia 76ers.
While the current draft projections for Edwards and Wagner might seem somewhat underwhelming, the season is still in its early stages, providing ample time for these emerging stars to demonstrate their potential and vie for lottery-pick consideration before its conclusion.
