The Oklahoma City Thunder churned through a number of draft picks over the years as they bided their time to build out their current roster. That included Hamidou Diallo, a player who busted out in OKC but who was well-loved by the organization and many fans. Diallo is long removed from the Thunder, and has now signed with a new team to continue his career.
In 2018 the Thunder drafted Diallo with the 45th overall pick in the NBA Draft. A top-tier high school recruit, Diallo reclassified and joined the Kentucky Wildcats early but had a rough season, averaging just 10 points and causing his draft stock to plummet. For a Thunder team that liked to take upside swings, it made sense to take a shot on the talented Diallo.
Diallo had all of the physical traits to succeed in the NBA, with a 7'0" wingspan on a 6'5" frame and, as one analyst wrote, "athleticism oozing out of every pore in his body." He came in as a monster in transition and showed plenty of flashes in that area of his game in the NBA. The problem was when the offense set up in the halfcourt.
Hamidou Diallo shot 16.7 percent from 3-point range as a rookie with the Thunder. He shot 28.1 percent the following year. Outside of one hot stretch of 20 games for the Detroit Pistons, his shot never came around in the NBA and for his career he hit only 27.4 percent from outside.
That's a death sentence for a 6'5" guard. You have to develop a shot to remain in the NBA. His physical tools were and are impressive, but the skill piece of his game never came around. In his 129 games with the franchise he had 130 assists and 123 turnovers. He rated as a positive player on defense, running around the court and disrupting plays, but on offense he was a massive negative.
Thunder fans loved Diallo, in part because of his incredible highlight reel. When he found space in the open court he threw down some incredible dunks, and he parlayed that ability into an invitation to the 2019 Slam Dunk Contest -- and subsequently won the competition.
In 2021 he was traded at the Trade Deadline to the Detroit Pistons for Svy Mykhailiuk, the exact opposite type of player as Diallo as a sharpshooting, slow-footed forward, and a future second-round pick. When he left, he posted a long thank-you message to Oklahoma City and their fans, with whom he appeared to truly connect despite his short time and limited role with the Thunder.
His teammates were sad to see him go as well, with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander posting "Real tears...my brother" about his former Kentucky and OKC teammate. While his game never elevated to the level it needed to in Oklahoma City, everyone around and cheering for Diallo appeared to love him.
Diallo showed more flashes in Detroit but ultimately failed to put it all together. Two seasons ago he had a cup of tea with the Washington Wizards and has not played an NBA game since.
Hamidou Diallo has a new home
In 2024 Hamidou Diallo took his career international, signing with the Shanxi Loongs in the Chinese Basketball Association (Loong is the Chinese word for dragon). There he joined former fringe NBA players Brandon Goodwin and Harry Giles III.
Diallo dominated in the less-athletic CBA, scoring 22.5 points per game in just 25.5 minutes per game. He still can't shoot but attacked the basketball relentlessly and led the team in free-throw attempts. He also led the team in rebounding despite being 6'5".
His play in China propelled him to a new opportunity this summer, as he signed a two-year contract with EuroLeague team Baskonia. Last season Baskonia employed former NBA players like Markus Howard, Trent Forrest and onetime Thunder project Timothy Luwawu-Cabarrot.
Still just 27 years old, Diallo has a chance to continue his career on a big stage.