Rob Dillingham shares how young Kentucky players have adapted

Rob Dillingham isn’t used to college basketball. Nonetheless, the Kentucky freshman isn’t scared to dive into uncharted waters.

“[Our team is] really just learning to play against each other and also just meshing together because we switch lineups every day. So it’s just been like great learning to get to play against each other, run up and down and play basketball,” Dillingham told the media on Friday.

Dillingham certainly knows how to do that. The 6-foot-2 guard was a four-star prospect and the No. 15 player in the Class of 2023, according to On3 Industry Rankings. Dillingham averaged 14.7 points and 4.9 assists per game at Overtime Elite during his final year of high school.

Dillingham’s highlight plays and flashy finishes drew attention nationwide. The North Carolina native is known for his smooth game. UK head coach John Calipari is testing that smooth game by mixing Dillingham with several lineups.

Dillingham is enjoying the process.

“I love playing with all of my teammates and I like the challenge,” Dillingham said. “Even when we have one lineup, it’s just like the next day we’re gonna have a different lineup. Next day, we’re gonna have a different lineup. We never get to learn the lineups of what Coach Calipari is going to do. We just like playing together.”

Music to Kentucky fans’ ears. UK diehards won’t have to wait much longer to see all of these speculated lineups. On Tuesday, Kentucky will begin its journey at GLOBL JAM in Toronto. The three-day event will see the Cats take on Team Germany, Team Canada and Team Africa.

On June 16, Kentucky will square off against another opponent in a medal game. Hopefully for UK fans, the Wildcats, Calipari’s practice strategies have paid off. Dillingham is just one of seven freshmen, including stars such as DJ Wagner and Justin Edwards.

Dillingham believes GLOBL JAM will be a valuable experience for him and his fellow freshmen.

“I feel like, honestly, ‘cause we’re playing older dudes, it’s gonna help me gel with the team way more,” Dillingham said. “And honestly, even if we win or lose, it’s just like we’re playing older dudes, so it really just gives us a standing of where we’re at. We’ve been working for this whole month; we’ve just been grinding every day. So I feel like we’ll honestly do alright. But even if we don’t, it’s just the combination of the team because we’re playing grown men. So I feel like we’ll definitely learn each other even more.”

Kentucky will kick off its run at GLOBL JAM on July 12, when the team takes on Team Germany at 1:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.