Some 30 NBA scouts are expected this weekend for the National Prep Showcase in New Haven, Conn.
Hamidou Diallo, the 6-foot-6 shooting guard from Putnam Science Academy (CT), is the main attraction for the scouts and will be playing Friday and Saturday night.
Diallo is eligible for the 2017 NBA Draft, as first reported by ZAGSBLOG, but has stated his desire to spend at least a year in college in 2017-18. He’s now projected as the No. 11 pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by DraftExpress.com.
NBA scouts can watch any game that features a post-grad player.
A year ago, Kentucky coach John Calipari and UConn’s Kevin Ollie were both on hand at the event to see Diallo, who has now trimmed his list to a six of Kentucky, UConn, Kansas, Syracuse, Arizona and Indiana, but has yet to take any official visits.
Diallo is expected to commit in the spring.
“I think he’s going to be a good fit almost anywhere because he’s an explosive player,” Putnam coach Tom Espinosa said recently. “He’s 6-6, he’s long, he’s athletic. When he gets a little more skilled, he’s going to be extremely good, you know?
“Even better, he’s good now. But he’s going to be a special player when he becomes a bit more skilled and I think he’d be a great fit at any of these schools, to be honest with you.”
2016 Schedule
Friday, November 18th
10:30a.m. Notre Dame Prep (MA) vs. Fork Union Military Academy (VA)
12:00p.m. Commonwealth Academy (MA) vs. Hargrave Military Academy (VA)
1:45p.m. St. Thomas More School (CT) vs. IMG Academy (FL)
3:30p.m. Bridgton Academy (ME) vs. Mount Zion Prep (MD)
5:15p.m. South Kent School (CT) vs. Vermont Academy (VT)
7:00p.m. Northfield Mount Hermon (MA) vs. Lee Academy (ME)
8:30p.m. Putnam Science Academy (CT) vs. Sunrise Christian Academy (KS)
Saturday, November 19th
9:30a.m. Fork Union Military Academy (VA) vs. St. Thomas More School (CT)
11:15a.m. Hargrave Military Academy (VA) vs. South Kent School (CT)
1:00p.m. IMG Academy (FL) vs. Northfield Mount Hermon (MA)
2:45p.m. Notre Dame Prep (MA) vs. Bridgton Academy (ME)
4:30p.m. NTSI (PA) vs. Brewster Academy (NH)
6:15p.m. Sunrise Christian Academy (KS) vs. New Hampton School (NH)
8:00p.m. Massanutten Military Academy (VA) vs. Putnam Science Academy (CT)
Sunday, November 20th
10:00a.m. Brewster Academy (NH) vs. Mount Zion Prep (MD)
11:45a.m. New Hampton School (NH) vs. Spire Institute (OH)
1:30p.m. Tilton School (NH) vs. NTSI (PA)
3:15p.m. Commonwealth Academy (MA) vs. Massanutten Military Academy (VA)
5:00p.m. Vermont Academy (VT) vs. Blair Academy (NJ)