Rob Dillingham is smiling before I even finish my question. It’s my version of the size question, the thing that shows up on every scouting report going into the 2024 NBA Draft as a leading question for the 19-year-old guard out of Kentucky. He knows it’s not going away, but doesn’t run or pretend it isn’t something he’ll have to navigate as a pro.
On the other hand, he’s also ready to defend himself, noting he’s not small. “I mean, size matters to a certain extent, but I feel like — I’m 6’2. Like, 6’2 is solid enough.
That’s blessed, to me,” Dillingham says with his ever-present grin. “Obviously it’s a little bit of size. I’m a little smaller, but I can dribble the ball, I can get people off balance.
So, it helps me offensive-wise, but it also helps me with other things because I’m faster. I’m more elusive. But also it’s kind of a weakness because some guards can just post me up.
“But basketball is a five-on-five game,” he continues. “I just feel like size does matter to a certain extent, but if you have effort, size is only so much. Because there’s a lot of players in the league that’s been 6’2 — or a lot of players that’s been smaller — that’s been great players and won championships.
” That kind of positivity radiates off of Dillingham. The way he sees it, there’s an opportunity in everything, you just have to be willing to challenge yourself to go get it. That’s a mindset that fit right in at Kentucky, wher.
