One-on-one with Kentucky commit Rob Dillingham
Yahoo Sports sits down with the five-star guard headed to Kentucky to discuss his senior season, expectations for his college season at Kentucky and why the No. 1 recruiting class consisting of Dillingham, Justin Edwards, Reed Shepard and Aaron Bradshaw is like no other class coach Calipari has ever had.
Video Transcript
KRYSTEN PEEK: I'm Krysten Peek here with five-star Kentucky commit Rob Dillingham. We're at the Border League in Las Vegas. Rob is playing with Donda Academy. It's your second year back. You are clearly one of the leaders on the team. How is the chemistry coming together? I mean, I know it's only fall ball, but you guys are long and athletic.
ROB DILLINGHAM: Yeah, that's the-- like, we've only had one scrimmage. We've just been practicing a lot. So, like, we came into the first game not knowing what to expect for real. So like, everyone was tired. We haven't really had no chemistry.
AJ Johnson is a five-star, and you see I only took like six shots yesterday because, like, we just don't know how to play together yet. So once we find each other-- because, like, we have everything.
We got athleticism. We can shoot the ball. We can drive the ball. We can pass the ball. We just got to learn to play together. And when we learn to play together, I feel like no one can beat us because we have everybody.
KRYSTEN PEEK: Yeah.
ROB DILLINGHAM: Facts.
KRYSTEN PEEK: All right, well, I saw that photo shoot with Kanye. How fun was that? Like, what's it like to be around him?
ROB DILLINGHAM: It's definitely tough. Like, it's just crazy. Like, Kanye was there. Like, I mean, we just-- I don't know how to explain it, honestly. It's like--
KRYSTEN PEEK: Did you pick out what you guys are wearing?
ROB DILLINGHAM: Yeah, we wear all black all the time. I'm not going to lie. Y'all know that. But yeah, for sure, we picked out what we was wearing. We had the glasses on.
KRYSTEN PEEK: Yeah.
ROB DILLINGHAM: Shades, yeah.
KRYSTEN PEEK: And, I mean, you're already committed to Kentucky. You guys have a monster class. You just got Aaron Bradshaw and Reed Shepard and Justin Edwards, maybe DJ Wagner. How great is this class coming in, and is the loss to St. Peters just like a distant memory? Should that just be a distant memory to all Kentucky fans?
ROB DILLINGHAM: Oh yeah, definitely, because you know, like, that's a whole new six freshmens coming in. So it's like, they wasn't even supposed to lose to St. Peters last year. It's just like, I don't know. This year, I just think the fans should expect different because we have a whole new team, and it's a bunch of freshmen. And it's one of the highest recruiting classes almost ever. Like, so yeah.
KRYSTEN PEEK: What's been your conversations with DJ? I mean, I know you played against him during the summer circuit on EYBL. I mean, the two of you in the backcourt would be insane and Reed as well.
ROB DILLINGHAM: Yeah, it's definitely a bit crazy. I don't know. Like, I hope DJ comes. I've been speaking to him a lot. It sounds like-- I hope he come here, but you never know. So--
KRYSTEN PEEK: What percentage? What percentage do you think it is he's coming?
ROB DILLINGHAM: It's 50/50. I don't know. Like, but he is supposed to be committing soon, I think. So--
KRYSTEN PEEK: Yeah.
ROB DILLINGHAM: --it's either-- y'all know the two. So like, yeah, for sure.
KRYSTEN PEEK: All right, and have you been on campus? Did you take your official there out yet?
ROB DILLINGHAM: Yes, I took my official before I transferred at Donda last year. So--
KRYSTEN PEEK: Did you go back at all this week?
ROB DILLINGHAM: I'm supposed to go back this weekend for Big Blue Madness. But we had the game.
KRYSTEN PEEK: OK. All right, and just when you were on there, did it just feel like home? Like, what was that atmosphere and vibe coming, you know, not only from the coaching staff but just being on campus?
ROB DILLINGHAM: It just felt like more professional. Like, you've got to put in the work, and like, it's going to be a challenge. But if you accept a challenge, like, you're going to have everything you always wanted. So--
KRYSTEN PEEK: Yeah.
ROB DILLINGHAM: Yeah, that's what my mom told me when Coach Cal came. He was telling her, like, it's not going to be easy. Like, it's not no chance. And that's why she loved it because Coach Cal loved my mom because she wanted me to go through something. And she crazy. So--
KRYSTEN PEEK: OK. And this summer, you played for Team CP3. Chris Paul actually coached you guys at Peach Jam. What was it like soaking up his knowledge and getting firsthand just guidance and advice from a player that's been in the league for so long?
ROB DILLINGHAM: It's crazy because, like, we both run the point guard position. Like, my game is not really like his, but he can teach me how, like, everything he knows.
So it's like, everything I'm doing out there on the court, he'll pull me to the side and tell me how to do it better. And then, like, we didn't lose the game while he was coaching. Like, yeah. So I just feel like being, like-- it's just a blessing because, like, I would never know. Like, me growing up, like, I'd be around all these, like, professional players that could teach me something and I looked up to as role models when I was younger.
KRYSTEN PEEK: Yeah. And you were one of the best players to finish at the rim. Like, there are some times you drive, and I'm like, how? How did he do that? How have you had to adjust the way that you attack bigs when they are stronger and maybe jump higher? Like, what's that process like adjusting around bigger, stronger players?
ROB DILLINGHAM: I'm not gonna lie. It's getting harder now because them bigs be trying to kill me. It's just like, they know they don't want me to score. But really, just putting the ball up high, and then, like, since a kid, I've always-- me, Jay Curry, Aiden Holloway, we always had, like, the jelly. We taught each other for real. So it's like, we just learn how to spin it over bigger defenders, get past them, and read, like, which way they're going, their body. So we can shoot a easier shot.
KRYSTEN PEEK: I know you're still a year away, but when you look at Kentucky and their matchups and who they play year in and year out, is there a game that you're mentally circling, like, you cannot wait to play in that sort of atmosphere?
ROB DILLINGHAM: The national championship. That's the only game I'm worried about. So until then, I'm just going to focus on me and get there.
KRYSTEN PEEK: I love it. I love the energy. Well, Rob, thanks so much for the update. And for more information on Rob Dillingham, keep it right here on rivals.com.
