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June 15 was a crazy day for top prospects all across America. Phone calls, tweets and retweets, and more phone calls. Prior to Monday, 4-Star Hamidou Diallo had received seven offers. That total doubled in less than a 24-hour period. In fact, shortly after midnight, Indiana was the first to call and offer.
2017 Woodstock Academy (CT) G Hamidou Diallo has received an offer from Indiana (HT @AdamFinkelstein) @Diallo1Hamidou http://t.co/iPRNPmKYpH
— Verbal Commits (@VerbalCommits) June 15, 2015
The Hoosiers need to get on the board. They have offered 24 players for the class of 2016 and 18 players for the 2017 class with zero results. Indiana has a combined 10 spots available over the next two years. During the past four seasons, Indiana has lost 15 players for various reasons. That's more turnover than fast food joints.
Perhaps, a player of Diallo's magnitude would help kick-start Indiana's stagnant recruiting trend. After Kevin "Yogi" Ferell graduates in 2016, the only point guard on the roster will be non-scholarship walk on Harrison Niego. Tom Crean has offered four point guards - Jamal Murray, Eric Waters, Quentin Goodin, and Tony Carr - from the 2016 class, but all of them are leaning towards other schools.
The "6' 4" Diallo can play the point or shooting guard positions. In fact, his AAU coach Jay David told Adam Zagoria in a recent interview:
He's going to keep working hard, keep looking at all the schools. He's stronger than he looks, he's working on his jump shot. He's a true combo because he runs the point for us a lot. We're going to start listing him as a point guard and it changes his level a little bit. Putting him at the "one" will change him totally.
To clear up any confusion, Diallo attended Putnam Science Academy (CT) his freshman and sophomore seasons. However, due to funding issues, the school shut down and the team was absorbed by Woodstock Academy (CT), a few minutes down the road. The Mustangs finished last season with a 27-8 record after losing to Hargrave Military Academy (VA) 81-73 in the National Prep Championship Tournament. Diallo led the way with 15 points and nine rebounds.
He plays AAU ball for the New York Jayhawks of the Under Armour Association where he averaged 13.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 12 games. Diallo has all the physical tools. He's long, lean, and strong with exceptional athleticism. He has developed a mid-range game featuring pull-up jumpers and floaters.
Watch the video of Number 0 make an array of perimeter shots and facial dunks.
Notice his athleticism and explosive leaping ability. In one game a couple of weeks ago, he literally leaped over a player for the dunk. A natural at the shooting guard position with his scoring capabilities, Diallo needs to sharpen his ball-handling skills and court vision in order to play point guard at the next level.
Due to the lack of depth at both of the guard positions, Indiana needs to go after this youngster hard. Midnight phone calls are a good start.
Follow Tim Langevin on Twitter@Sports Rockers