Rob Dillingham is my favorite player in the 2024 NBA Draft class. His intoxicating blend of handling, shot-making, and play-making ability are addictive. No player in this class can match his mix of skill and swagger with the ball in his hands. There are legitimate concerns about his size and defensive ability, but he has an unteachable ability to put the ball in the basket.
Ron Dillingham’s handle is one-of-one. He has a deep bag of crossovers, hesis, tweens, behind the backs, and combinations of each that leaves onlookers cross-eyed. His ability to create space between himself and defenders to get shots off can’t be taught. His combination of handle skills and his elite quickness make him a near impossible cover in one-on-one settings. Think a smaller Jamal Crawford.
Dillingham showed the ability at Kentucky to hit cutters and spotted up teammates off the dribble. Players of Dillingham’s archetype generally have the reputation of being ball-stoppers, but Dillingham is far from that. He keeps the ball moving in the flow of the offense, and cooks when necessary.