The transfer portal is, as usual, incredibly frustrating and confusing from a fan’s perspective. Other fanbases might not feel the same pressure, but for BBN, the fact that basketball “means more” in Lexington also means the wait for good news feels like torture.
More than a week after the portal opened, Mark Pope and Kentucky still haven’t landed a commitment. Plenty of visits and Zoom calls have happened, but none have resulted in a signing.
With Rob Wright still on campus though not for much longer you’d think Kentucky is close to its first commitment. Maybe they are, but I’m not convinced it’ll be the obvious choice. If I had to bet, I’d put my money on Zoom Diallo becoming Pope’s first addition this cycle.
Why Diallo Could Be Pope’s First Pickup
Some Kentucky fans might be frustrated, especially since Wright was viewed as a near-lock based on early buzz. But Diallo visited Kentucky first and, in many ways, might be just as strong a fit.
While his three-point shooting isn’t on Wright’s level, Diallo’s 49% shooting from the field (along with nearly 16 points per game) shows he’s a well-rounded guard who can score in a variety of ways. Add in his averages of five assists and four rebounds, and he looks like the kind of all-purpose guard Kentucky lacked last season.
Diallo also drew major interest from Arizona early on, but with the Wildcats addressing their point guard spot elsewhere, he’s faded from national headlines making this a prime opportunity for Pope to move in.
The Window Is Open for Pope
Wright’s final decision could complicate things, but at this point Diallo might actually be the more likely of the two to land at Kentucky.
This recruitment could go either way Kentucky might get both players or end up with neither but Pope’s aggressive pursuit of both suggests he’s determined to secure at least one.
Unless Wright commits tonight, all signs seem to point toward Zoom Diallo running the show for the Wildcats next season. Then again, like everyone else right now, that’s just the speculation of a frustrated fan trying to connect the dots.
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