Future Wildcat, Rob Dillingham, Excited to Learn Under Tyler Ulis and Rajon Rondo

There has been a ton of hype around Kentucky’s 2023 recruiting class, and for good reason. The Wildcats currently have four incoming five-star recruits, and one four-star recruit for next season.

One of the five-star signees that will be making his way to Lexington is Rob Dillingham, who is ranked as the No. 2 point guard and the No. 13 overall prospect in 2023 via 247Sports One thing he is most excited for is the opportunity to learn from two of the best point guards to ever play at the University of Kentucky.

Coach Tyler Ulis and Coach Rajon Rondo

Back in December, former Kentucky point guard Tyler Ulis joined the Kentucky coaching staff as a graduate assistant. In the coming months, former Wildcat and NBA veteran Rajon Rondo is expected to join the staff on the same terms.

Tyler Ulis played at Kentucky for two seasons, 2014-15 and 2015-16. In his sophomore season, he averaged 17.3 points per game. He went on to win the Bob Cousy award for the nation’s best point guard. He also won SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year in that season after tallying 51 steals and recording 246 assists.

Rajon Rondo played at Kentucky for two seasons as well, 2004-05 and 2005-06. He averaged 9.65 points and 4.2 assists per game during his time in Lexington. Rondo would go on to the NBA to have a very successful career. He was a four-time NBA All-Star, four-time NBA All-Defensive team honors, and two NBA championships (Boston Celtics – 2008, Los Angeles Lakers – 2020).

“We’re learning from greats”

Dillingham was recently interviewed by Kentucky Sports Radio where they asked him about his opportunity to be coached by the two Kentucky legends.

“That’s just amazing that could even happen,” Dillingham said. “Tyler Ulis won [SEC] Defensive Player of the Year and player of the year. Then, you’ve got Rondo, who was one of the greatest guards of all time. We’re learning from greats.”

“We’re also learning from Coach Cal,” he continued. “We have guard play. We’re all going to learn how to play within the system and use our talent at the same time. I feel like Rajon and Tyler will help us with that easily because they’ve already done it.”

Kentucky recently hosted Dillingham for an official visit when Kansas came to town on January 28th. Although the Wildcats lost the matchup, it was a positive experience for Dillingham as he was recognized on the court at halftime.

Dillingham said, “It was crazy. I’m in the middle of the court with 20-some thousand fans. I don’t even know how to explain it. You’re just looking around like I’m excited.”

It is likely that the starting point guard position will be up for grabs next season. Cason Wallace is headed for the NBA, and it is likely that Sahvir Wheeler will transfer or forego his final season of eligibility to begin a professional career of his own.

If Kentucky decides to play fellow five-star signee DJ Wagner off the ball, the point guard spot could very well fall into Dillingham’s hands.