NEW YORK — Hamidou Diallo and Nick Richards both had a group of family, friends and former teammates on hand for their homecoming on Saturday at Madison Square Garden.
Diallo, a Queens, N.Y., native, went for a career-high 23 points and 4 rebounds with about 20 family and friends watching as No. 8 Kentucky routed Monmouth, 93-76. Richards, who played at The Patrick School in Hillside, N.J., added 10 points and 8 rebounds.
“Just coming back today it was just great,” said Diallo, who estimated he hasn’t played in New York City in three years. “I got a lot of family and friends out there. They just wanted to see me play live. They haven’t seen me play in a long time.
“And plus we got the ‘W.'”
Said Kentucky coach John Calipari: “Nick struggled but he got it going at the end. Hami played well. Less is more for him. But that is so hard.”
P.J. Washington had 20 points and 6 rebounds for Kentucky (8-1) and Canadian Shai Gilgeous-Alexander added 15 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds. Philadelphia native Quade Green left the game during the second game because of an eye injury. He finished with 12 points and 4 assists.
Deion Hammond paced Monmouth (3-7) with 19 points and Micah Seaborn added 18. “It’s amazing when you can have an opportunity to watch two of your guys play at the Garden,” said Patrick School coach Chris Chavannes, referring to Richards and Monmouth’s Marcus McClary, who were part of the Celtics team that won the New Jersey Tournament of Champions title last season. “It’s unbelievable. It’s nice to see Marcus out there as well. It’s a great opportunity for him as well.” The game turned into a star-studded affair as Yankees GM Brian Cashman and new manager Aaron Boone sat courtside near former Kentucky and St. John’s assistant Barry “Slice” Rohrssen. The Yankees have reportedly landed reigning National League MVP Giancarlo Stanton — who hit 59 home runs last year — to pair him with American League Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge — who hit 52. Cashman, a Lexington, Ky., native, declined comment to multiple outlets on the deal, but told ESPN he was rooting for Kentucky to clobber Monmouth. “Yep, we talked about Stanton, we’re gonna get that one done,” Calipari said of his discussion with Cashman. “You understand I am a Yankee fan.”Hamidou Diallo had about 20 family and friends today at MSG where he went off for 23 in UK’s win. A number of NBA guys were there too. pic.twitter.com/eLWsGD9dZD
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) December 9, 2017
Yankees fan shouts “Great trade today, boss!” as Brian Cashman walks off court at MSG. Cashman waves right hand to fan.
— Kevin Armstrong (@KevinGArmstrong) December 9, 2017
He got his wish. Kentucky led 54-31 at the break, when Washington had 16 points, 4 rebounds and 3 blocks. The Cats shot 5-of-9 from beyond the arc in the first half. Diallo had 8 points and 4 rebounds at the break. “I mean, it’s just a blessing,” Diallo said. “This is my first time playing at the Garden, so coming from New York City, that’s every kid’s dream. He wants to play in the Garden. So for me playing in there and having a good game, that’s just a blessing.” Diallo, averaging 13.6 points and 4.8 rebounds, is now projected as the No. 20 pick in the NBA Draft via ESPN, so this will probably be his only season at Kentucky. (He enrolled in January but sat out the second semester last season and practiced with the team.) A number of NBA personnel were at the game. Richards is currently projected as the No. 26 pick in the NBA Draft, per ESPN, so he also figures to be a one-and-done at Kentucky. Before then, he could be one of several Patrick School players in the NCAA Tournament. Minnesota freshman guard Jamir Harris and Seton Hall freshman guard Jordan Walker also played on last year’s championship team. Richards, Harris and Walker could all find themselves in the Big Dance come March. “Yeah, and you talk about not just Jamir but [Minnesota’s] Dupree McBrayer as well, so it’s been a great year,” Chavannes said. “For the past month, most every weekend I’ve had a chance to watch one or two of our guys on national TV, so it’s been absolutely unbelievable for us.” Photo: @KentuckyMBB Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter And like ZAGS on FacebookThe Kings of New York. pic.twitter.com/volqRtOR7L
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) December 9, 2017
