Hamidou Diallo is one of the top guards in the 2017 high school class. He is currently participating at the adidas Nations. His play was limited at the Nike Basketball Academy but we had the opportunity to catch up with Diallo and talk to him about his experience in Chile at the U18 Fiba Americas, matching up against Devin Booker, and a few other topics.
NBADraft.net: What pro have you learned the most from?
Hamidou Diallo: We learned a lot from a lot of pros; Rudy Gay, LeBron James, Devin Booker, just learning what they do in their game. How we could get easier shots. How we could get better in many ways, film sessions, and all that.
NBADraft.net: You had a nice competition yesterday with Booker, how did that come about? Was it spontaneous?
Hamidou Diallo: It’s just the competitiveness in me. Once a guy laces up, he’s just a player just like me and I don’t give nobody no favorites or anything. I just went at him just how I go at high school players that I’m playing against.
NBADraft.net: Are the workouts different than what you’ve done before?
Hamidou Diallo: Everything’s the same. The workouts are definitely great. It’s just honestly a blessing to be here.
NBADraft.net: With somebody unfamiliar with your game, how would you describe it to them?
Hamidou Diallo: Just a player, two-way type of player. Competitive and I just like to get after it on both sides of the court.
NBADraft.net: Is there anybody you model your game after?
Hamidou Diallo: Not really, I just take bits and pieces from a lot of players.
NBADraft.net: Who’s been the most difficult opponent you’ve faced?
Hamidou Diallo: Most difficult opponent I’ve faced…Stephen Curry and Devin Booker last night.
NBADraft.net: What’s the main thing you want to add or work on as you finish high school?
Hamidou Diallo: Just being more efficient and being more consistent with my jump shot. Just working on my mechanics and just the little things to make my jump shot better.
NBADraft.net: What was your experience like with Team USA?
Hamidou Diallo: I just got back from Team USA, winning a gold medal. Just been great. That was a blessing too, out there for like a week in Chile, just grinding and got what we went there for, a gold medal.
NBADraft.net: It was a long trip getting down there right?
Hamidou Diallo: Yeah.
NBADraft.net: I heard that the town down there was almost like an Indiana where all the local people are really into basketball. What was it like going to Chile for the first time?
Hamidou Diallo: Definitely all the local people was into basketball. First night all the fans was for us. Second night all the fans was against us, we played against Chile. It was going crazy, packed gym no seats, just crazy in there. Couldn’t hear what Coach Shaka (Smart) was even saying. It was just insane and having USA on your chest, everybody wants to beat you so we have to play hard every game and we ended up being the ones with gold medals.
NBADraft.net: What’s the toughest team you played?
Hamidou Diallo: Canada definitely in the championship but the Chile game was tough too because the crowd was against us and they played their hearts out. I give it up to them too. They played hard and really wanted to beat us.
NBADraft.net: What do you put more value into, winning an Olympic gold medal or an NBA Championship?
Hamidou Diallo: Is that a question? NBA Championship. Definitely an NBA Championship. Winning a gold medal though is a great achievement as well but being an NBA Champion, only so many people have done that. That’s a great honor.
NBADraft.net: That’s a true world champion.
Hamidou Diallo: Definitely. That’s proving that you’re one of the best.
NBADraft.net: What are some goals you have as you finish high school?
Hamidou Diallo: Just being the best player that I can be on and off the court. Just working out, working hard, just trying to use my skill to the most advantage.
NBADraft.net: You played at adidas Nations last year, any thought of playing this year?
Hamidou Diallo: I’ll be at adidas Nations. Most definitely.
NBADraft.net: How’s recruiting coming along?
Hamidou Diallo: Recruiting’s been going great. Couple new schools have contacted me. Arizona State, spoke to the Coach Hurley yesterday. Really cool guy, offered me a scholarship and wants to get me up on campus and things like that.
NBADraft.net: Do you think it’s important to be well rounded and have some interests off the court or just being really focused on basketball is better?
Hamidou Diallo: Definitely focused on basketball but you don’t want to put yourself in a box either. You want to live your life how you want to live. So, if you’re a pro and you like things outside the court, share it with the world but don’t put it what you like behind you. Just speak your mind.
NBADraft.net: What kind of stuff do you like off the court?
Hamidou Diallo: I just like playing basketball honestly. I like hanging out with my family because most of the time I’m away from my family so that’s pretty much what I do right now. Just play basketball, go out to camps, and just hang out with my family when I’m home.
NBADraft.net: At what point did you realize that you had the talent where you could really pursue basketball as a career?
Hamidou Diallo: I would say like two years ago. Two summers ago. Things just started turning around for me. Especially last summer, things just really changed for me. Just started getting offers left and right and just started hearing from schools I never thought I would hear about and then started seeing my name on mock drafts. Things like that. It’s ridiculous.
NBADraft.net: Do you want to be a two or do you think you can be a combo?
Hamidou Diallo: Whatever my coach honestly wants me to do but I don’t want to put myself to just one position so I would say combo guard.
NBADraft.net: Have you had any setbacks with injuries or anything else?
Hamidou Diallo: No injuries. I’m well, just resting. Just resting it out. It’s been a long summer. Trip to Chile really took a lot out of me.
NBADraft.net: What about diet? Have you improved your diet at all since you’ve become a top level player? Are you trying to eat better? What do you do as far as working out and diet?
Hamidou Diallo: I try to get workouts in; lifting, running, calisthenics, things like that. I’m going to take one week off after everything’s done and really get after it in August and my offseason because I’m trying to really make a huge impact this season but as far as diet, I haven’t really looked into it. I’m planning on looking into this year actually. Starting this year I’m going to start eating right.
NBADraft.net: Do you drink soda?
Hamidou Diallo: No I don’t drink soda. I don’t drink soda at all. I had to drink soda in Chile. That’s all they really had. It’s nuts out there.
NBADraft.net: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Hamidou Diallo: Five years from now…I just hope everything goes well. I mean, no injuries, no nothing and just to be the best pro I can be.
