ROB DILLINGHAM : MASTER OF PNR
article by Jaspaire
Very few people had Rob Dillingham in their top 40 at the start of the season. A prospect sensation rather than a real basketball player.
The native of Hickory, North Carolina has managed to make a name for himself in the Overtime Elite with streetball-esque mixtapes that have gone viral on social networks. So when he commits to Kentucky on 6'3 guard on the 29th June 2023, it doesn't create much of a buzz. Kentucky is a big college and the player wasn't really seen as a real prospect at the start of the season.
Rob Dillingham, is currently announced as a top-5 prospect, he is probably the best point guard in College Basketball.
Pick and Roll (PnR) is now the most common system in the NBA and Dillingham is often talked about as the best passer in the next draft. Let's take a look.
Patience and craftyness on this play, with just 1O second on the shot clock to execute the PnR. Dillingham asks for the screen, then goes with the heavy step when he knows the defender is in jail. Hostage dribble to keep him behind and the perfect pass for the alley oop.
Kentucky is one of the best offenses in the NCAA today and Dillingham is a big reason why.
With 30 AST%, the player is truly his team’s primary playmaker. He often likes to play uptempo and take advantage of the fact that the defense isn't set yet.
What's impressive about Dillingham is how quickly he adapts to all kinds of situations, especially after screens. He almost always manages to find a gap in the defense.
2.23 ast per turnover is an impressive number for one of the most used players and the second most used player in college basketball in terms of possession per game.
Almost the same scheme on these actions following each other in the match. A back screen at the top of the key, so that the screener slips the screen to be open for the 3 pointer.
Each time, Rob finds a way to get the ball to an open teammates. His timing on passing is always perfect. Impressive how he exploits misscommunications with drives even though he's not a big finisher at the rim.
To be a master of the PnR, there's one thing you have to perfect, and it's called manipulation.
It's often done through your eyes, but also by shifting your body. We can see here that every time Dillingham plays with the opposing team, he knows exactly what he's going to do. He'll reveal what he's going to do at the last moment to recuce his opponent's reaction time.
As I said earlier, if Kentucky is one of the best offenses in the league, it's greatly thanks to Rob Dillingham. His ability to accelerate by attacking the gaps always results in an open shot.
The former Overtime Elite guard often likes to make a weakside lazer pass when the defense is trying to defend the PnR in order to create chaos in the rotations. As Givony said, he reminds us of Trae Young.
A true playmaker knows how to wait patiently for the perfect opening and pass. Dillingham never hesitates to take back the screen and wait for the right moment to find the right timing for the assist.
The screen isn't properly set, so Rob will take it back to lose the defender and force the big man to commit to force the rotation.
This time the screen is better, the defender goes over it and the big man decides to defend with drop coverage.
Rob has seen the opening, now he's waiting for the perfect moment to execute it.
The timing is perfect now, the player could not be more open. And the defense has collapsed, so there's even a chance of an extra pass if the defense rotates.
Of the 23 games Dillingham has played this season, only 2 have seen him record more than 3 turnovers.
And when you take a closer look at these turnovers, you notice a common pattern. Dillingham is a veritable supercollider, but it also presents a few problems.
In particular, his lack of size near the rim is one of those red flags, as he often struggles to play through contact. Also to find his team-mates once he's made his drive. Rob is a player who prefers to operate at the top of the key rather than in the paint.
He sometimes attempts passes that are too difficult for his Center to catch. This often happens during a 2-man game in empty side PnR where his pocket pass doesn't find its target.
All the freshman in the first Division in the National Collegiate Athletics Association on https://www.barttorvik.com
In this highly anticipated draft season, one name that resonates strongly is the one of Rob Dillingham, an emerging player with the Kentucky Wildcats. His exceptional mastery of the pick-and-roll (PnR) game makes him one of the top talents of this year's draft. Dillingham's remarkable versatility means he not only drives the ball to the basket, but also excels at a wide range of passes. From the montana read, the hockey pass to the shovel, demonstrating an advanced understanding of the tactical details required in modern basketball.
The successful collaboration with his team-mate Reed Sheppard is reflected in the excellent distribution of the ball within the Wildcats team. The duo have created a harmonious dynamic, allowing Dillingham to assert himself as the team's true orchestrator. This complicity is reflected in the statistics, which place Dillingham second in the SEC (South Eastern Conference) in assist percentage with an impressive 30%.
Dillingham's time at Overtime Elite played a crucial role in his development, particularly in the transition areas where he now excels on the college basketball scene. This experience has shaped a player who is unquestionably a high-calibre playmaker, capable of igniting an offense while at the same time easily finding his teammates.
As the season goes on, Dillingham is cementing his place in the top 10 of potential draft picks. Teams looking for a creative playmaker who can spark an offense and guide his teammates on the floor should pay particular attention to this young talent. Whoever selects him will undoubtedly benefit from Rob Dillingham's qualities as a playmaker, promising to make a significant contribution to the development of the team that bets on this exceptional player.
