Five-star Zoom Diallo breaks down Arizona, Gonzaga, USC officials; talks recruitment

Zoom Diallo is the No. 13 player in the 2024 On3 Industry Ranking. The 6-foot-4 guard was named Washington State Gatorade Player of the Year this season after averaging 20.2 points and 5.5 assists. The back-to-back state champion announced this summer he would be transferring to Napa (CA) Prolific Prep

“I’m one of those aggressive guards who can get into the lane anytime they want,” Diallo told On3. “I’m an aggressive, strong body, and I can also find my teammates. I consider myself a real point guard, not a combo. I can make plays for myself and my team. I’ll watch a lot of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey. I like that combination a lot. Chris Paul, too, guards who can get into the lane, take a survey, and make a play.”

On3 caught up with Zoom Diallo after a recent live viewing to break down his recruitment.

Diallo talks official visits

“I’ve taken official visits to USC, Gonzaga, Arizona, and Florida State, so far,” Diallo said.

Southern California: “I enjoyed that visit. I feel like I was able to grow a deeper relationship with the staff, Coach (Andy) Enfield, and Coach (Jay) Morris. It was good to see their culture around the program. I was able to sit down and see what their plan was for me and how they planned to use me during my freshman year. So, overall, it was a great visit.”

Gonzaga: “They work a lot with their guards. They really install whatever their game plan is, whatever their system is going to be for that game; they really work on that with their guards in and out of practice. They’re really involved in developing their guards, and that really stood out to me.”

Arizona: “I like to get into transition and get the defense on their heels, so naturally, that is a good program for me to look at. They like to get up and down the floor, and they like passing the ball up the court. I feel like it’s best to catch the defense lacking in transition. Our relationship has continued growing, they have been talking to me for two years strong. Coach (Tommy) Lloyd has been doing a great job in his first two years there, and Coach (Steve) Robinson has been coming to all my games. They’ve really been instilling in me that I should be a Wildcat.”

Florida State: “So, Coach (R-Jay) Barsh, who actually went to Gonzaga and was my lead recruiter. I developed a great relationship with him. When I went down there, I learned a lot about Coach (Leonard) Hamilton. Coach Ham is one of the greatest coaches in college basketball, so I learned a lot about his story. He loves those long wings that translate to the next level, and they feel like I’m one of those guards that can lead the program.”

Diallo talks possibility of future visits

“As of right now, I don’t have any other visits set,” Diallo said. “Washington wants me to come on an official. That is a school near me, so me and Coach (Will) Conroy are looking to potentially put something in the works.”

Washington: “A lot of the hometown kids who went there went pro. Look at Jaden McDaniels, Isaiah Thomas, Matisse Thybulle, Dejounte Murray, and Coach Conroy has been through that with them. He just instills in me that staying home and just developing and getting to that next level.”

In his words

“I want to commit before my senior year,” Zoom Diallo said. 

“I’m looking for a family atmosphere, and I want to play for a coach that is going to let me play through my mistakes. No freshman year is ever a perfect situation, I know that, so playing for a coach that is going to trust me will be big, I want to go to a program where I will be able to have an impact freshman year. 

“I want to be one of those guards that are on the ball and making decisions. I don’t want to just be asked to score, but I want to make others better and make the best players on our team look good. That’s the kind of lead guard I want to be.”