Boston Celtics Late First Round Draft Picks To Watch This March

WALTHAM, MA - JUNE 30: Danny Ainge, left, president of basketball operations, and head coach Brad Stevens at the press conference. The Boston Celtics introduce their new draft picks, Marcus Smart and James Young, on Monday, June 30, 2014. (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
WALTHAM, MA - JUNE 30: Danny Ainge, left, president of basketball operations, and head coach Brad Stevens at the press conference. The Boston Celtics introduce their new draft picks, Marcus Smart and James Young, on Monday, June 30, 2014. (Photo by Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
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Hamidou Diallo – Fr. – G – Kentucky

Danny Ainge is no stranger to Diallo, who he once scouted while Diallo was in high school at Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut, and rumors last year had Diallo pegged as a potential first round pick (perhaps by Boston) before he withdrew from the draft.

Diallo enrolled in Kentucky late last year and did not play for the team; although since he was a year removed from his high school graduation he was illegible for the draft. ESPN had Diallo ranked as one of the top 15 players from the class of 2017, but has struggled at Kentucky, averaging 10 ppg and shooting just 29 percent from beyond the arc.

Diallo’s promise lies in his freakish athleticism, which has drawn comparisons to  Zach LaVine. Unlike a more polished player, Diallo isn’t a safe pick, but for a Celtics’ team that is already well-stocked, having a high-ceiling rookie may be more attractive than an average player that can play right away. Besides, any fan can get excited about a player that can dunk with this kind of ferocity.