This guard can score, but does he make any sense for the Hawks?
Rob Dillingham did not start during his time in Kentucky, but his ability to get a bucket at any time coming off the bench made him very valuable on a team that already had a top-scoring guard in Reed Sheppard.
Averaging 15.2 points on the season, there’s a reason he won SEC Sixth-Man of the Year, as Dillingham showed that he could score with the best of them while doing it at all three levels of the game. Though he may be undersized at 6-foot-1, Dillingham has the mechanics to turn his flaw into his strength, which makes it hard for people to guard him.
One of Dillingham’s best attributes is being able to create shots for himself in different kind of ways. Whether it’s a pull-up shot, a sidestep three, a step back, or driving to the lane, the guard knows how to keep the defender on his toes. His shiftiness and his ball handling allowed him to create separation for easy shots. He can see the game at a slow or fast pace, and his switch of speed makes it hard for defenders to keep up. Not only can he self-create at a high level, but he was quite efficient, especially from three, where he shot 44 percent.
Putting pressure on the rim is something that Dillingham did well at, but he could also use some improvement in that area due to his size and frame. He did show at times that he wasn’t afraid to take contact at the rim — a plus in his game. To avoid the contact, Dillingham would pull out his floater, which is a skill that most small guards have in their toolbox.
Another plus in Dillingham’s game is what he can do in the pick-and-roll. With the guard being able to score at a high level, getting in the pick-and-roll opens up for shots for him and his teammates. Dillingham is not a pass-first guard, so most of the time in those situations he’s looking to create for himself, but he can make the pass if need be.
Of course, the biggest thing in Dillingham’s game that will need improvement is his defense. With his small stature, opposing teams will most likely look to attack him at any chance they get making it hard to utilize him in certain situations. Putting several defenders around him will be the best option, and it might be best for him to play alongside a dominant center. On offense, pairing him next to a guard that makes plays for him and others could also improve his game as well since he’s not known for being a passer.
Dillingham could be a player that could get drafted in the early to mid-first round, either for a team that’s looking for a starting guard or someone that’s looking to add more firepower coming off the bench. He’s a true microwave that can make a shot from anywhere on the court, and if you need a bucket, he can get it for you.