Rob Dillingham Complete Scouting Report
school: kentucky
nationality: united states of america
Year: 19
position: combo guard
size: 6'3″, 176 lbs.
After an ineffective stint with the Overtime Elite, Rob Dillingham showed up at Kentucky looking like a different, more mature player.
Before the season, scouts weren't sure if he would be a one-and-done or even realistically an NBA candidate. He is currently considered to be the first guard selected in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Despite being off the bench for much of the season, Dillingham managed to garner widespread NBA attention. Now, scouts are trying to figure out if he has the size to continue playing a sixth-man role at the next level, or if he's just another Kentucky prospect who will be far more productive in the NBA than he was in college. That's where I'm at.
Expected role: scoring ball handler
Comparison: Coby White, Kemba Walker, Lou Williams
Dillingham has a variety of successful and practical accomplishments.
The best case depicts him succeeding as a scoring ball handler who can fill the starting point guard role and provide enough playmaking to be used as the team's lead initiator. Kemba Much like his Walker, he puts the ball on the string, is fast on the move, and powers defenses from his three levels with a score-first mentality.
Depending on his level of efficiency and ability to balance self-creation and passing, Dillingham could be better suited as a sixth man like Lou Williams. In that role, Dillingham can play to his strengths more as a microwave scorer and doesn't have to worry about shot selection or getting others involved.
Draft ceiling: top 3
Draft floor: Late lottery
Dillingham provides on-ball excitement like no other player in this year's draft class. He has one of the most appealing combinations of creation and shot-making on offense, both of which we feel can translate to the NBA based on his quickness, ball-handling skills and shooting accuracy.
There's a good chance he'll be drafted as the starting guard, but it might take a lottery ticket to play out in his favor. He would want a team that needs to upgrade its backcourt and offense to get a top pick.
Scouts also expressed some hesitation about Dillingham's tools and mindset as a gunner. Given his jump-shot-heavy diet, average playmaking, and poor defense, you might imagine him working off the bench, but that's not something a team would use as a top-five player.
Depending on how the lottery goes and in the eye of the beholder, Dillingham could still be on the board somewhere in the 7th to 10th place range, but it's hard to imagine him falling any further than that. His production, efficiency, skill and flash would seem too convincing in a draft that doesn't have prospects that really move scouts in the middle of the first round.
Listed at 6-foot-3 and 176 pounds, Dillingham is tall enough to be an NBA point guard or combo guard. However, his thin frame and limited explosive power have raised some concerns.
Using his physicality and strength to create space and play through contact probably won't be an option for him in the NBA. A lack of vertical pop will make finishing difficult, and Dillingham may require more skill and coordination.
He would also be at a defensive disadvantage against many starting NBA guards, especially if he goes to a team that has a slot to play No. 2.
Ball handling/creation
The combination of tight ball handling, shiftability, and quickness fuels Dillingham's signature creativity. It's hard for defenders to stay attached to him because he's a joystick who constantly changes speed and direction.
Dillingham's ability to create drive attempts, pull ups, step backs and separate into runners makes him a useful source of immediate offense and late options.
Various shot makeup
Dillingham's jumper buried defenses in a variety of ways throughout the season. He is confident in his dribble shots from isolation and dribbling through screens. However, he also shoots very efficiently off the catch, giving him the versatility to be used off the ball or as a two-guard.
His floater is statistically one of the most accurate in the draft. Dillingham also has a knack for starting a fire and firing multiple shots. This gives him the ability to take over matches.
Improving playmaking
Dillingham, who was primarily known for his scoring ability when he entered college, was a useful playmaker for Kentucky. He racked up enough assists for NBA teams to envision him developing into a lead guard who can use his elusiveness and gravity to set up teammates.
Passing will likely always be an ancillary skill for Dillingham, but he has shown great willingness to play quarterback and facilitate at the right time.
finishing
Dillingham's limited size, length, and explosive power were most evident in the finish. He plays below the rim in the half court and must rely heavily on his touch, smarts, and acrobatics.
If he has to rely on tough shot-making in the NBA, he's going to have problems with consistency and efficiency.
Shot selection
Dillingham's creation, shot-making and confidence could work against him, leading to low-probability attempts and irresistible urges.
defense tools
If paired with a more established point guard, Dillingham may have to defend a bigger, stronger, more athletic two-guard. In that role, he would be at a disadvantage in most games.
Either way, at 176 pounds, opposing coaches will likely target him at the point of attack.
