Cheick Diallo eager to embrace larger role at NBA Summer League

By Staff     Jul 5, 2016

Kansas forward Cheick Diallo (13) gets a hand up in front of a shot by Loyola forward Jarred Jones (21) during the first half, Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Those days of watching from the bench as older, more experienced players compete on the court are over for Cheick Diallo. At least for the time being.

As New Orleans gears up for its trip to the Las Vegas Summer League, it’s hard to imagine any Pelican being as excited for the opportunity as Diallo, a second-round draft pick who only played 7.5 minutes a game for Kansas during his one-and-done season in Lawrence.

When New Orleans begins its summer schedule Friday night against the Los Angeles Lakers (all Vegas exhibitions will be available to watch via one ESPN platform or another or NBA TV), Diallo will find himself on the floor, playing as meaningful minutes as are available in a summer league contest.

While speaking with reporters Tuesday, Diallo’s face lit up with a smile upon the mention of increased playing time on the horizon.

> “Oh my gosh. I can’t wait,” Diallo
> said in a [1]. “I’m so excited
> right now. I just want to go out there
> and show everybody what I can do.”

Kansas forward Cheick Diallo (13) throws down a dunk against Holy Cross during the second half, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015 at Allen Fieldhouse.

Diallo, a 6-foot-9 forward selected 33rd overall in this year’s draft, will get a long look from the Pelicans this month, in the setting of the development-focused summer league, before the reality of a lesser role returns during the regular season.

But that’s months from now. In Vegas, Diallo hopes to display not only his trademark energy in the paint, but also his defensive versatility.

> “I can guard multiple positions,” the
> ever-upbeat 19-year-old said. “I can
> guard point guard, 2-man, even like a
> 3-man. Not (just) big men.”

Even though some of the players Diallo will practice with and play against this summer are older than him and more experienced, he doesn’t care about his age or what perceived advantages might be enjoyed by his competition.

Instead, the power forward who will team with fellow rookies Buddy Hield (Oklahoma), Jameel McKay (Iowa State) and Anthony “Cat” Barber (North Carolina State) and others this summer has embraced his growing reputation as a vigorous competitor.

> “I just want to give my teammates
> everything I’ve got,” Diallo said,
> adding he understands that is a major
> reason New Orleans drafted him. “I
> don’t really get tired. I just want to
> keep doing my thing.”

While practicing with the Pelicans in preparation for the upcoming Vegas league, Diallo left the court feeling great about his first professional training sessions, because he was communicative and vibrant in his approach.

> “I just want to keep working hard
> every day and keep learning from my
> teammates, my coach, all my staff,” he
> said.

A native of Kayes, Mali, Diallo recently [sat down for an interview with the Pelicans’ website][2] to talk about how far he has come, literally and figuratively, since first playing basketball in Africa in 2010.

> “Right now, I’m wearing all these nice
> clothes and have all kinds of stuff,”
> Diallo said. “It’s really hard to get
> even a few things in my country — you
> are not getting any of this stuff. You
> have to spend a lot of money to get
> what you want. Back home, no way you
> are going to get something like this.
> No way you’re getting a backpack like
> this. No way you’re getting an iPhone.
> It’s not easy to get. So today I thank
> God and my parents, too. Where I am
> now, if it wasn’t for my parents and
> God, I wouldn’t be here.”

Skype provides Diallo with an easy way to keep in touch with his parents, brothers and extended family back in Mali, he said, noting those talks remind him of the responsibility he feels to deliver in the NBA in the years ahead.

> “I decided that I have to start taking
> basketball seriously, so that I can
> take care of my family one day,”
> Diallo said of how he became driven to
> succeed. “So that’s in my mind every
> day that I wake up. I’m thinking of my
> family, that I have to take care of
> them. Everything I’m doing, my family
> comes first, no matter what.”

[1]: http://www.nba.com/pelicans/video/teams/pelicans/2016/07/05/1467743509950-diallo070516.mp4-632879
[2]: http://www.nba.com/pelicans/news/cheick-diallo-motivated-family-mali-embraces-opportunity-pelicans

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