The Pelican’s Eye View is featuring a player a day on the Pelican Player Profile. This series is introducing Pelicans or general basketball fans to the teams 2017 players & staff overall.
The Pelican Player Profile discusses player history, stats & current projections for the upcoming season while granting a familiarity with the pro.
Here’s tonight’s PPP: CHEICK DIALLO (#13) Height: 6-9 Weight: 230 lbs.
Cheick Diallo (20) is a 2nd year pro forward from Mali, Africa who was drafted by The Los Angeles Clippers in the 2nd round (pick 33 overall) then traded to New Orleans for David Michineau and Diamond Stone. Diallo averaged 5.1 ppg 4.3 rebs 12 mpg in 17 contests for The Pells during the 2016-17 season.
The Pell’s never let Diallo rest as they shipped him to develop in the NBA D-League for much of the 2016-2017 campaign.
With stops at: 1.) Greensboro Swarm in 15 games averaged 17.1 ppg 10.5 rebs & 31.5 mpg
2.) Long Island Nets in 2 games averaged 12.0 ppg 4.5 rebs & 17 mpg
3.) Austin Spurs in 9 games averaged 12.3 ppg 4.3 rebs & 22.7 mpg
This past summer league 2017 Cheick averaged 18.6 ppg 9.8 rebs in 5 games for the Pells as he continues to show improvement. The former Kansas Jay-hawk didn’t have much of a collegiate career after dealing with eligibility issues, finishing with averages of 3.0 ppg 2.5 rebs in 27 games.
The fact is Cheik Diallo started playing basketball at 13 years of age & he is the younger of 5 siblings.
Diallo was a top recruit out of Our Savior New Americans High School in Center Reach, NY who went on the gain honors like: McDonalds All-American MVP (2015), Jordan Brand MVP (2015), Parade All-American(2015) just to name a few.
The outlook on Cheick is very bright if he continues to develop, remain healthy & take full advantage of the fact he is the top power forward off the bench. The past season was an adventure for Diallo as he could not gain minutes off the bench with Dante Cunningham there. I often felt that The Pelicans staff didn’t see his potential until later in the year but never the less they see it NOW as they haven’t signed any competition for the young forward.
It should be mentioned that Diallo has a 7’4 wingspan, 9’1 standing reach & brings shot blocking, floor running with the ability to finish around the hoop. He has the type of high energy presence that this teams needs & I’m looking forward to seeing him thrive in a Pelicans uni.
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