Cheick Diallo: Meet the New Orleans Pelicans “other” pick
Dell Demps and the New Orleans Pelicans saved fans a bit of sleep last night, trading up six spots with the Los Angeles Clippers to select Cheick Diallo, the freshman power forward from Kansas.
Prior to the draft last night, who saw Cheick Diallo in a New Orleans Pelicans’ uniform? Certainly not this blogger. Fans bore dreams of wings, slashing point guards, scorers and deep falling prospects like Deyonta Davis and Skal Labissiere.
So who is this kid from Kansas anyway?
Cheick Diallo is a freshman from Bill Self’s championship program. They reached the Elite Eight last year behind strong performances from players like Perry Ellis and Wayne Selden Jr.
So why haven’t we seen more of him?
Cheick Diallo was born in 1996 in Kayes, Mali. In February of 2012, he arrived at the John F. Kennedy Airport. It was his first time in America. The first time he had been without his family and his friends, whom he had left behind.
“At first I was thinking, I just want to go back. But one day I said no, not yet. I want to stay and work hard here before I go back to Mali.”
At the time Diallo had only been playing basketball for two years before he landed in Centereach, New York, where Diallo started high school.
If he thought basketball would come naturally, his daily submissions to dominant big man and fellow African Chris Obepka would see things differently.
“I didn’t know what I was doing. I couldn’t make a point.”
Skills on the basketball court are not what make Cheick Diallo special. Coaches around the country, including Kansas’ Bill Self, were blown away by Diallo’s earnestness, his foot speed, nose for the rebound, enthusiasm, but most importantly, his motor.
Ranked as the seventh highest prospect among high school players, Diallo earned himself an invitation to the McDonald’s All American Game. He joinied an East roster that included Kansas teammate Carlton Bragg, Henry Ellenson, Diamond Stone, Jaylen Brown and Ben Simmons among others.
Diallo was described as one of the best defenders and rebounders in his class. Diallo shocked everyone, including close friend Skal Labissiere, by taking home the MVP honors. He finished with 18 points and ten rebounds. He followed his performance by committing to Kansas directly after.
But the fairy tale was short lived. Shortly thereafter, Diallo’s academic eligibility came under question. The NCAA was universally slammed by media and attorneys alike for discrediting an A and B student at Kansas. It resulted in opening up the books of previous high school Our Savior New American and even questioning the validity of Diallo’s six grade classes back home in Mali.
Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star wrote, “The case appears to be absurd.”
More from Pelicans News
- How will the Pelicans round out rotation without Trey Murphy III
- Why you can’t blame Brandon Ingram for all Team USA’s failures
- New Orleans Pelicans avoid potential disaster with latest injury reports
- 3 New Orleans Pelicans whose role will increase next season
- Pelicans getting the fans involved with their upcoming festival
Diallo was suspended for five games and the time away from the court took away a large portion of the five-star recruit’s experience with the team. This landed him a spot on the bench. Kansas fans wondered if Self was taking a risk by leaving him there. Diallo averaged 7.5 minutes per game, but with the time away, Self had legitimacy in wondering if Diallo could get up to speed. With players like Ellis, Selden and Frank Mason III, Self had veteran leadership available to take the minutes from Diallo.
But Diallo never frowned. He remained positive, cheering his friends and teammates on from the sidelines. He even reached out to friend Skal Labissiere for reassurance and guidance.
“Every time I texted him, I’d say, ‘Bro, what is your plan? He’d say, ‘I’m going to the gym. Well, I would say I’m going to the gym too and go work on my post moves. He’d work on his pick-and-pop.”
Both foreign players, Diallo from Mali and Labissiere from Haiti, they developed a bond that would continue Diallo’s work ethic and ambition. With his new friend and motivator, Diallo ignored his slow usage rate by putting up solid per 40 minute numbers. Per 40, Diallo averaged 16 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks, and 1.5 steals.
As far as size goes? Diallo supports it with an impressive 6’9, wingspan of 7’4 and an athletic 220 pound frame. He’s looking to add to it.
“I see myself at 235, 240.” That’s Tristan Thompson size, with Kenneth Faried‘s speed and motor.
His free throw percentage was an abysmal 56 percent, but he shot 58 percent from the floor that included a better than average looking jump shot. At times he has a troublesome hitch in his release, but with summer league coaching, he’s already seeking to put those troubles behind him.
“I’m not going to take a day off. I want to know everything.”
“I’m not going to take a day off. I want to know everything.”
That’s exactly what Dell Demps, Alvin Gentry and Danny Ferry wanted to hear when they picked up the phone with the Clippers and the 33rd pick in the draft.
“He’s a young player who is inexperienced. There is going to be a growing curve. But one thing I can assure you is you’ll never see a lack of effort there. His motor is amazing.”
Diallo is the ideal partner for Anthony Davis and the perfect component to Gentry’s up-tempo system. He gives the Pelicans’ sorely lacked defense what they need and provides the energy, the tireless work ethic and the ambition to bleed out into the locker room.
Just how important is that this year?
It appears pretty important to Demps, Gentry, and Ferry as they opted for two players in this year’s draft who draw top marks for their player relationships, attention to coaching and leadership.
With Diallo and Hield’s arrival in New Orleans and Eric Gordon‘s departure, it could be time for a culture change.
One thing’s for sure. That is the confidence of future Hall of Famer, Bill Self:
“Cheick will get the last laugh on everybody and I think he knows that.”