Kentucky lands prized 5-star recruit Dillingham

High-five recruit Robert Dillingham dedicated to Kentucky on Friday, giving the Wildcats their second top-30 guard within the 2023 class.

Dillingham initially dedicated to NC State final December however reopened his recruitment in March. He selected Kentucky over a remaining 4 that additionally included Auburn, Louisville and USC.

John Calipari has now introduced in 15 five-star level guards since taking on at Kentucky in 2009. He landed a five-star on the place in all however two recruiting lessons throughout that span, and likewise landed two five-star level guards in 2018.

“In case you put within the work at Kentucky and Coach Cal thinks you might be adequate to make it, then it’ll occur for you,” Dillingham instructed ESPN. “After I visited Kentucky, it was unbelievable. They defined every thing. The basketball, lecturers, power and conditioning, NIL.”

On the subject of title, picture and likeness, Dillingham mentioned: “Coach Cal defined the way it works and mentioned, ‘It is not the explanation you come right here, however it’s positively a perk.’ I do know TyTy Washington and Oscar Tshiebwe have achieved very properly.”

Kentucky had been concerned with Dillingham for a lot of his recruitment, and the five-star guard took an official go to to Lexington final October. When Dillingham decommitted from NC State, the Wildcats as soon as once more entered the image.

“Coach Cal and his employees got here to see me after I was at Mix Academy,” he mentioned of a Calipari residence go to earlier in his recruitment. “They flew personal into Lincolnton, North Carolina. That meant quite a bit. Coach Cal is all the way down to earth. He instructed me and my mother his entire story rising up. My mother is an brisk and optimistic individual. She felt good about Coach Cal and Kentucky.”

Dillingham was blown away by the fan help he acquired on his go to to Lexington.

“They’re loopy, I’m not going to lie. I’ve not skilled something prefer it,” he mentioned. “They’re so passionate. I actually haven’t taken numerous photos with followers — on my go to, I did. You might really feel the love.”

A 6-foot-1 guard from North Carolina who transferred to Donda Academy (California) final fall, Dillingham is ranked No. 5 general within the ESPN 100 for 2023. He is thought of the second-best guard within the class behind top-ranked prospect D.J. Wagner.

Dillingham is averaging 19.5 factors and three.3 assists for the CP3 All-Stars to this point on the Nike EYBL circuit, whereas taking pictures 64.9% from contained in the arc and 40.3% from 3-point vary.

He is likely one of the most dynamic gamers within the class of 2023. His greatest affect comes from his basketball instincts, superior ball expertise and court docket consciousness, permitting him to be a shot-creator and playmaker. Dillingham is likely one of the greatest shot-makers and house creators in the highschool recreation. Whether or not it is in transition or in opposition to a set protection, Dillingham finds open pockets of house to attain or distribute to the open man.

He reads the ground exceptionally properly, preserving defenders off stability by continually altering velocity and path. Hesitation strikes, crossover dribbles, shot fakes and jab steps are all a part of Dillingham’s arsenal, and he has deep vary on his jumper. He’s additionally an excellent off-ball defender due to his imaginative and prescient and anticipation expertise.

Calipari now has two ESPN 100 guards in his 2023 class, with Dillingham becoming a member of in-state prospect Reed Sheppard (No. 29).

“I’ve identified him since we had been youthful,” Dillingham mentioned. “He is obtained sneaky bounce and is a knock-down shooter.”

Kentucky remains to be within the combine for five-star prospects Wagner, Ron Holland, Justin Edwards, Aaron Bradshaw and others. Wagner is the precedence, however it’s a heated battle in opposition to rival Louisville, which just lately employed Wagner’s grandfather — Milt Wagner, who performed on the Cardinals’ 1986 nationwide championship staff — as this system’s director of participant improvement and alumni relations.

“I actually really feel we may feed off one another by scoring and making assists,” Dillingham mentioned of Wagner. “We may simply play collectively and study from one another. DJ is loopy good. He is likely one of the hardest gamers I’ve seen. A shot-maker and scorer.”