Rob Dillingham defines 'shifty' for 92-year-old Meemaw
Kentucky freshman guard Robert Dillingham is famously known by ’RobWitDaShifts” — his social media handle reflecting what he brings to the table on the basketball floor. He’s electric with the ball in his hands, must-see TV as a creator and scorer. Blink twice and he’s past you, using dynamic dribble moves to get to the basket or create pull-up jumpers. Shifty.
But try explaining that to 92-year-old Meemaw, a diehard Kentucky basketball fan and KSR caller. She’s gotten comfortable in front of a camera this week, mic’d up for the Wildcats’ wins over Team Germany and Team Canada. In the latter matchup, Meemaw’s family correctly described Dillingham as ‘shifty,’ leading to understandable questions regarding the phrasing.
“Why are you saying shifty?” Meemaw asked. “Like, you don’t know what he’s going to do with it next? Will he get out of that? Is that good or bad?”
“That’s good because it’s hard for the defenders to guard if you’re shifty,” her family responded.
“You’re telling me that Dillingham is shifty with the ball and that’s good?”
The answer is yes, Meemaw. Shifty is good, essentially what separates Rob Dillingham from every other point guard in his high school class. He may not have the size and strength, but he’s got the shift to set up finishes over or around you.
But don’t take my word for it, take it straight from the horse’s mouth. KSR showed the Kentucky freshman the clip of the 92-year-old superfan learning about the word ‘shifty’ and asked for his own explanation to relay back to Meemaw.
“That’s what everybody else says,” Dillingham said through a number of laughs. “But I guess it means being unpredictable with the ball, changing speeds in a good way. Just being really good with the ball, I guess.”
There you have it: unpredictability and change of speed while taking care of the ball. That’s the secret to Dillingham’s success as an offensive playmaker.
Meemaw Mic’d Up in Toronto
Missed Meemaw’s real-time thoughts on the Cats this week? Check out her mic’d up segments during Kentucky’s wins over Team Germany and Team Canada on the KSR YouTube page.
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