Gonzaga trending for five-star PG, but Alabama making a push

Zoom Diallo is an elite 2024 basketball recruit, and that's evidenced by the number of programs that are trying to get his commitment.

It's also evidenced by the rankings. According to the 247Sports composite, Diallo is the No. 1 point guard in the nation as well as a top-15 overall player.

With nearly 20 offers to his name, Diallo released a top-six list earlier this year that features the likes of Gonzaga, USC, Arizona, Washington, Kansas and Florida State. He's since taken official visits with Florida State, Arizona and Gonzaga. If you read the tea leaves — it seems like the Zags may be in a great spot to earn his commitment sometime this fall. Strengthen that connection for Gonzaga is the fact that Diallo's primary recruiter at FSU, R-Jay Barsh, is now on Mark Few's staff.

"When he went to Gonzaga, they are kind of on the outside looking in now," Diallo told On3 of Florida State.

While Gonzaga may be the favorite to land Diallo, it's worth noting that his recruitment is far from over. He wants to take a few more official visits this fall, and it sounds like Nate Oats and the Alabama Crimson Tide are hot on his trail.

"They’ve been trying to instill in me that they play in an NBA system. The NBA is where I want to be. I was talking to Coach (Nate) Oats, and he is saying it is a perfect scenario," Diallo said. "It is like one step away from the NBA basically because of their system and how they play. That is something that I am looking forward to learning more about.”

All Diallo would have to do is look at Brandon Miller for Alabama last season for proof that Oats runs an NBA system. Miller averaged 18.8 points and 8.2 rebounds as a freshman for the Crimson Tide and parlayed that into being the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets. 

“I will look at the play style some too," Diallo said, discussing what he's looking for in a college program. "I want to play with some pick-and-roll reads, get up and down and play in transition. I like to get the ball out and play fast while the defense is still getting back. Playing in an NBA system, the NBA uses a lot of spacing and a lot of pick-and-rolls.”

It sounds like Oats and Alabama could fit the bill.