For the upcoming season, Tyran Stokes was always supposed to be Kentucky’s best player at the three-spot. This explains why Mark Pope persisted in his recruitment until the last end, and it also explains the Wildcats’ present search for a replacement.
Pope and his team are searching for a small forward deserving of (at least a portion of) the NIL share that had been gathering dust in the trophy room in anticipation of Stokes. Ryan Hampton may be the most likely of the few candidates now in the discussion.
There is now a brand-new, possibly ideal rival. International forward Kamary Diakite is considering going to college for the upcoming season, according to Jamie Shaw. Kentucky ought to be involved if they aren’t already.
Diakite is the most recent in a long line of international athletes hoping to join the NCAA; Kentucky has, of course, expressed interest in that field on multiple occasions. Ousmane N’Diaye’s recent pledge is one thing, but Pope has seen another recruit abroad in the brief time since.
He prefers that path, and Diakite would fit right in with what seems to be an otherwise solid squad.
This season, the dynamic forward averaged 16.9 points and 6.7 rebounds while shooting a polished 48% in the Swiss NBL. Diakite has lots of opportunity to develop into a position in Lexington that would give him priority, even at just 19.
A Mean Final Addition
He has a tremendous burst and is a high-riser on the break. In the SEC, Diakite’s ability to maneuver through crowds and finish in spite of contact would also be encouraging; when combined with players like Alex Wilkins and Zoom Diallo, he would be a formidable addition to the Cats’ roster of scorers and playmakers.
Again, though, it’s unclear if Kentucky intends to get in touch at all. I’m merely cautioning that it wouldn’t be shocking at all if Pope really turned on the jets for Diakite. Prior to his third season, Kentucky’s coach created a system that suits the tenacious and seasoned forward.
Along with Hampton and Milan Momcilovic, Diakite is one of Kentucky’s few apparent targets at small forward. The Wildcats must find a way to land one, somehow.
