Rob Dillingham Full Scouting Report

School: Kentucky

Nationality: USA

Age: 19

Position: Combo guard

Size: 6'3", 176 lbs

After an inefficient stint with Overtime Elite, Rob Dillingham showed up to Kentucky and looked like a different, more mature player.

Before the season, scouts weren't sure he'd be one-and-done or even a realistic NBA prospect. He's now in the mix to be the first guard selected in the 2024 NBA draft.

Dillingham managed to generate widespread NBA interest despite coming off the bench for the majority of the season. Now scouts are deciding whether he's built to continue playing that sixth-man role at the next level—or if he's just another Kentucky prospect who's going to be far more productive in the NBA than he was in college.

Projected NBA Role and Comparisons

Projected role: Scoring ball-handler

Comparisons: Coby White, Kemba Walker, Lou Williams

There are a variety of successful, realistic outcomes for Dillingham.

The best case pictures him in a starting point guard role, thriving as a scoring ball-handler who can offer enough playmaking to be used as a team's lead initiator. Much like Kemba Walker, he has the ball on a string, he's quick with his moves and he lights up defenses from three levels with a score-first mentality.

Depending on his level of efficiency and ability to balance self-creation and passing, Dillingham could wind up being better suited to be a sixth man like Lou Williams was. In that role, Dillingham could play more to his strengths as a microwave scorer and worry less about shot selection or getting others involved.

Draft Projection

Draft ceiling: Top three

Draft floor: Late lottery

Dillingham offers on-ball excitement that few others can in this year's draft class. He possesses the most tempting mix of creation and shotmaking for offense, and both feel translatable to the NBA based on his quickness, ball-handling skill and shooting accuracy.

He has a strong case to be the first guard drafted, though he might need the lottery to play out in his favor. He'll want teams that need to upgrade their backcourt and offense to land the higher picks.

Scouts have also expressed some hesitation about Dillingham's tools and gunner mentality. Projecting a jump-shot-heavy diet, average playmaking and poor defense may mean picturing more of a bench spark, which isn't what teams will use a top-five pick on.

Depending on how the lottery shakes out and the eye of the beholder, Dillingham could still be on the board in the Nos. 7-10 range, though it's difficult to picture him falling further than that. His production, efficiency, skill and flash will feel too persuasive in a draft lacking prospects who really move scouts in the middle of the first round.

Physical Tools and Athleticism

Listed at 6'3" and 176 pounds, Dillingham has adequate height for an NBA point guard or even a combo guard. However, his thin frame and limited explosion raise some concerns.

Using physicality or strength to create space and play through contact won't be much of an option for him in the NBA. A lack of vertical pop can make finishing tougher and require Dillingham to use more skill and adjusting.

He'll also be at a disadvantage defensively against many starting NBA guards, particularly if he goes to a team where he's slotted to play the 2.

Signature Strengths

Ball-handling/creation

The combination of tight ball-handling, shiftiness and quickness fuels Dillingham's signature creativity. He's a joystick who's constantly changing speed and direction, which makes it difficult for defenders to stay attached to him.

Dillingham has the ability to create driving attempts or separate into pull-up, step-backs and runners, making him a useful source for instant offense or a late-clock option.

Shot-making versatility

Dillingham's jumper buried defenses all season in different ways. He's confident shooting off the dribble out of isolation or dribbling over screens. But he's been highly efficient shooting off the catch as well, which gives him the versatility to be used off the ball or as a 2-guard

His floater statistically is one of the most accurate in the draft. Dillingham also has a knack for catching fire and drilling shots in bunches. That gives him the ability to take over stretches of a game.

Improving playmaking

Known mostly for scoring coming into college, Dillingham was a useful playmaker for Kentucky. He dished out enough assists for NBA teams to picture him developing into a lead guard who's capable of using his elusiveness and gravity to set up teammates.

Passing will likely always be a secondary skill for Dillingham, but he's shown an admirable willingness to play quarterback and facilitate at the right times.

Weaknesses

Finishing

Dillingham's limited size, length and explosion were most evident on his finishes. He plays below the rim in the half court and has to rely heavily on touch, cleverness and acrobatics.

He's going to have trouble with consistency or efficiency in the NBA if he has to rely on tough shotmaking.

Shot selection

Dillingham's creation, shotmaking and confidence can work against him, as it leads to some low-percentage attempts or urges he can't resist.

Defensive tools

If paired with a more established point guard, Dillingham may have to defend bigger, stronger and more athletic 2-guards. In that role, he'll be at a disadvantage most games.

Regardless, at 176 pounds, opposing coaches are going to target him at the point of attack.