Rusty Diallo leads Our Savior New American to McCracken County Mustang Madness win

By: LARRY VAUGHT


PADUCAH — Having a pro-Kentucky crowd at the McCracken County Hoop Fest to see Our Savior New American School star Cheick Diallo play at the McCracken County Mustang Madness was no surprise to coach Ron Stelzer.

“We have been here before in Kentucky to play. I knew this was a great event. I was expecting a great atmosphere,” said Stelzer. “It is a great opportunity for our players, not just Cheick. Everybody is happy to be here back in Kentucky.”

The 6-9 Diallo, who is from Mali, is a consensus top 20 pick because of his size, athleticism and energy. He had 19 points, including 10 in the first quarter, along with 14 rebounds and a blocked shot in a win over Faith Baptist Christian (Ga.). The game was originally set for a 4 p.m. start, but Faith Baptist hit traffic in Nashville and the game was rescheduled and started about 10:30 p.m.

“He was not as good as he usually is at Marshall County (Hoop Fest) in December. He was a little off. He was coming off an extended injury layoff and was a little bit rusty,” Stelzer said. “But you could tell here that he can play. He can move really well. That quickness, speed are important in basketball and he has that.”

Assistant coach Eric Jaklitsch said in the last month, there has been a noticeable improvement in Diallo’s play. Kansas coach Bill Self was here to see him Friday night and Kentucky coach John Calipari was expected for his game Saturday night.

“He has gotten a lot more comfortable, a lot more in tune with his teammates.You miss four months — the preseason and beginning of season — and it changes your timing, changes a lot of things you do within the team concept,” Jaklitsch said. “In the last month we have won a bunch of games and beat a bunch of nationally ranked teams and he has won a bunch of MVP awards and the team is doing pretty well.

“When he is playing great, everybody else on the team feeds off his positive energy. His motor, he’s cranking it up. He is back in the basketball swing of things.”

His coaches have tried to shield him from recruiting as much as possible. He has taken official visits to UK, St. John’s, Pittsburgh, Kansas and Iowa State. He has a bevvy of other scholarship offers, including one from Louisville.

“We try to kind of shield him a bit so he can concentrate on academics and just playing basketball and not dealing with media and stuff,” Stelzer said. “We have had (Kentucky coach John) Calpari visit. His assistant has been there three or four times already. Kansas been there. Iowa state there. We have had a lot of coaches come in and they have all had their chance to talk to him.

“It’s just a little bit too soon for him to make a deicison. He is trying to devote his focus on this season to do the best he can. He is pretty focused on things he has to do.”

That’s why Jaklitsch says Diallo has been off limits to the media.

“He just wants to focus on his senior year and his academics, so he is not speaking with anybody in the media. He is dealing with five schools and focusing on playing with his teammates and going to school,” Jaklitsch said. “He is a relentless kid on the court and gives 110 percent every time he steps on the court. He is just a tremendous player and we are blessed to have him. He is a wonderful kid. He works so hard and has earned all he has gotten

“He just likes to play basketball and wants to win and he wants us in the nationals at the end of the year. He is going to make a (college) decision in April when he is ready. He is a good-hearted kid. He knows what got him here. He knows he will deal with the media in college and if he is lucky enough to play in pro basketball. He is just enjoying his senior year and enjoying his teammates and having fun with his friends.”

Jaklitsch says he is a “well-rounded kid” with an unusual personality.

“He is a quiet kid, he is a fun-loving kid. He is a friendly kid,” the assistant coach said.

He says that personality will translate well to the school Diallo eventually picks.

“Any kid is going to enjoy playing in front of big crowds in college and whatever college he goes to he will enjoy a lot,” Jaklitsch said.

The assistant said his top five schools have not changed and likely won’t.

“Everything is the same in recruiting and will stay that way until he makes his college choice after the season,” Jaklitsch said.