WATCH: Rob Dillingham announces commitment to Kentucky

On3 imageby:Jack Pilgrim06/25/22

Kentucky has its point guard of the future in Robert Dillingham, a dynamic scorer out of Hickory, NC and Donda Academy (CA). He announced his commitment to the Wildcats on Friday, choosing UK over Auburn, Louisville and USC, among other options.

Shortly after his decision went public — ESPN broke the news — the newest Wildcat uploaded his own commitment video on social media.

“First, I would like to thank God for continuing to keep me on the right path and keeping me humbled throughout my whole process,” said Dillingham. “Most of all, I thank my mom and pops for building me as a person and a man, and my family for supporting my decisions.

“I would like to give thanks to all the coaches who have recruited me over the past years and showed interest in me. Although there were many options to choose from, it’s time for me to choose between them all.

“With that being said, I will be taking my talents to Big Blue Nation. Go Wildcats.”

The Kentucky basketball social media accounts were ready with videos and graphics of their own, highlighted by John Calipari walking down memory lane with some of his best guards during his time in Lexington — Jamal Murray, Tyrese Maxey, Tyler Ulis and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Next up, Robert Dillingham?

The Wildcats also used rapper Kanye West to welcome the Donda Academy — West’s start-up school in California — standout to the program.

“If you put in the work at Kentucky and Coach Cal thinks you are good enough to make it, then it will happen for you,” Dillingham told ESPN. “When I visited Kentucky, it was incredible. They explained everything. The basketball, academics, strength and conditioning, NIL.

“… Coach Cal and his staff came to see me when I was at Combine Academy. They flew private into Lincolnton, North Carolina. That meant a lot. Coach Cal is down to earth. He told me and my mom his whole story growing up. My mom is an energetic and positive person. She felt good about Coach Cal and Kentucky.”

Big Blue Nation was also a significant draw for Dillingham, who says the fanbase made its presence felt during his official visit to Lexington last fall.

“They are crazy, I am not going to lie. I have not experienced anything like it,” he said. “They are so passionate. I really have not taken a lot of pictures with fans — on my visit, I did. You could feel the love.”

#LaFamilia

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2024-04-18