NBA Draft: Kentucky's Dillingham Is Latest Prediction for Magic

Round One of the NBA Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET tonight. The Orlando Magic have the No. 18 overall pick. No fewer than seven different players have been projected as Orlando's draft selection.

Mar 6, 2024; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Rob Dillingham (0) drives to the basket during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. / Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports

ORLANDO — Few schools have produced more top-flight NBA players than Kentucky.

In Yahoo Sports' latest mock draft, they project the Magic taking Kentucky point guard Rob Dillingham with the No. 18 overall pick. Round 1 of the NBA Draft begins at 8 p.m. ET tonight.

"Offensively he is one of the best players with the ball in his hands and has that dog mentality that teams love," Yahoo Sports said. "But what's giving teams pause is his work on the defensive end, where he has average footwork and difficulty staying in front of players. If he falls to 18, the Magic might look to pick him up as the best player available and someone who can get downhill and facilitate for Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner."

Dillingham, 19, was one of the more dynamic offensive players in the nation, averaging 15.2 points and 3.9 assists per game. He also converted 44.4 percent on his 3-point attempts. The 6-foot-2 guard was named the SEC's Sixth Man of the Year.

Shooting and playmaking out of the backcourt are two of Orlando's more pressing needs this offseason. The Magic ranked last in the NBA in 3-pointers made per game and 28th in assists per game. Dillingham potentially addresses both needs.

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