John Calipari Is Not Clipping Rob Dillingham’s 'Wings', Letting Him Grow

If you asked someone to describe Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham with one word, one might say “exciting”, “electric”, or even his marque adjective “shifty”. But coming out of high school, scouting reports labeled him as”inconsistent” and “undisciplined”, saying things such as:

“He needs to value substance over style – learning to be more efficient.” – 247Sports

“Will need to prove he can be efficient and under control.” – Sports Illustrated

“Will need to prove he’s unselfish.” – Sports Illustrated

In his first exhibitions in a Kentucky uniform this summer at GLOBL Jam, adjectives both good and bad, were proven correct. Through four games, Dillingham averaged just 17.1 minutes per game, the 8th most on the roster of ten available players. To say he struggled was an understatement, shooting just 9-29 from the field and 1-7 from three.

Other programs used this as an opportunity to attempt to get Dillingham to leave Kentucky. “You think he got phone calls when we came back?” Calipari asked reporters on media day. “Why don’t you come with us — you don’t think that happened?”

Yet, he stayed committed to Kentucky and trusted the process.

“Trusting Coach Cal and the process. Today wasn’t my day,” Dillingham said after playing just 12 minutes in game three of GLOBL Jam. “DJ was getting buckets. Reed was getting buckets. If they’re playing better. Why force myself to be mad? We’re a team.”

That display of maturity and mindset was a sign of what was to come. When the team returned to Lexington, Dillingham “lived” in the gym, continuing the work he started in June when he arrived on campus. By early October, he had added 24 pounds to the 155-pound frame he started with and found the comfort level he had been in search of.

At Kentucky Basketball’s Pro Day, Dillingham stood out to the 52 NBA scouts in attendance, calling him the “best player on the floor” and predicting him to be one of the biggest surprises on the team.

Fast forward to mid-December. The scouts were correct. The lightning-quick, undersized guard still keeps the ball on a string and confuses defenders with quick changes of movement and pace, as he always has. However, he is efficient, controlled, and unselfish, as Dillingham himself says, more “pro(-like)”.

For reference, Dillingham leads Kentucky in assists (4.5 APG, T-2nd in SEC), assist/turnover ratio (2.7), and is second in three-point percentage (46.5%). Doing so coming off the bench and averaging the 7th most minutes on the team (23.2 MPG). Adjusting to per 40 minutes to see where he stands nationally, Dillingham is the ONLY player in the country to project 25+ points and 7+ assists.

An “always chill” Dillingham talked to the media after his latest performance, scoring a Kentucky team-high 17 points in a win against No. 9 North Carolina, including 7 of the Wildcats’ final 14 points. In doing so, Dillingham gives thanks to John Calipari who he says, “helps me, while letting me be me.”

“Since Canada, our relationship has grown so much,” Dillingham said. “He still shows me that he has confidence in me, still letting me rock. At the same time, he wants me to be more pro-like. Make smarter decisions. I’m really just thankful for having him. He helps me while letting me be me.”