January was an eventful month for five-star point guard Zoom Diallo when it came to his recruitment. The current No. 19-ranked prospect in the 2024 class made an official visit to Gonzaga and also trimmed down his list to focus on six schools. In addition to the Bulldogs, Arizona, Washington, USC, Florida State and Kansas comprise the top list for Diallo.
UA, FSU and Gonzaga are the three programs that have hosted the 6-foot-4 prospect from Tacoma on official visits. Diallo has not been in a hurry to make a decision, but choosing a college is not something he expects to be drawn out.
“I’ve been taking the process little by little just talking with my family and taking it process by process," he said. "It’s a little big stressful, but I keep the main thing the main thing. Stay in the gym, get better. When I find my decision, it’s gonna come.”
The visit out to Arizona took place in the fall, and it gave Diallo an opportunity to get to know the entire staff under Tommy Lloyd a bit better. Assistant coach Steve Robinson has been leading the process of recruiting the five-star junior for the Wildcats, but Diallo was able to learn more about Lloyd and the other coaches on staff during his stay in Tucson.
“What stood out was that I was the first 2024 that they took out on a visit,” he said. “That meant a lot. Then, just the family atmosphere. Coach Lloyd takes care of his guys over there. That’s what stood out over there. He’s a busy man, but he’s involved. He’s involved as much as he can, and everybody is bought-in together.”
His relationship with Robinson has been pivotal in the Wildcats staying in the picture, and the longevity of his connection to Arizona remains a focal point in the process.
“Coach Rob has shown nothing but love to me,” Diallo said of the Arizona assistant coach. “He’s been there since my sophomore year in the spring and summer. He’s been watching me, and his support and their support system means a lot. Coach Lloyd texts me, the whole staff texts me. When I went on my visit I bonded with everybody on the staff. It’s been good.
“I like their play style. They said that I can fit in their play style, so that means a lot.”
Arizona has one commitment in the 2024 class after guard Jamari Phillips joined the Wildcats after announcing his pledge in December. Lloyd and his staff have continued to pursue other top-level guards in the class as retooling on the perimeter has become a priority in the cycle.
Diallo and four-star point guard Dedan Thomas have been two other highly-rated guards on the radar for Arizona. Thomas took an official visit to UA over the weekend.
The Washington-based guard does not feel pressured by other 2024 recruits making a decision and secure a spot, but he also doesn't want to wait on making his choice if he feels confident about his future at one school over the others on his list.
“I’m not gonna rush into it too much, but I feel like I’m starting to narrow down,” he said. “I’m starting to get smaller and smaller with my choices of schools. So, a decision may be coming soon, but I haven’t set a date. I’m just gonna let the feel come to me.”
Curtis High School is 9-0 in district play this year and 21-3 overall heading into the end of the season, and Diallo is a key part of that success. Elevating to the level of a five-star recruit has brought him plenty of attention, and Diallo has had to adjust his game accordingly.
“It’s changed a lot,” he said about how teams have defended him during his junior season. “I’m getting face guarded, denied. That’s something that’s just gonna help my game later on. It’s been more of a challenge, and I took more of a leader role. But, that’s what it’s all about. That’s how you grow as a player and that’s how you get better, so I’m all in for it.
“When I was little I always wanted to be one of the top guys in the country and get all this recognition. So, now that I got a little bit of it, it means a lot. I’m not gonna shy away from it.”
