Diallo says he’s met with the Nets

Are the Brooklyn Nets interested in Hamidou Diallo, the Queens sensation? Mounting evidence suggests they are.

Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders reported from the Pre-Draft Combine Thursday that the two have met.

It was the most recent indication of interest by the Nets who have the Nos. 22 and 27 picks in the first round. Earlier in the week, Adam Zagoria of Zags Blog reported that the Nets, among others, had spoken with the executive director of the 18-year-old’s AAU team, the New York Rens. That conversation reportedly took place on Monday.

Our own Bryan Fonseca tweeted earlier Thursday that at least 14 teams had made inquiries about Diallo and that, at least initially, the 6’5” shooting guard wasn’t interested in talking to teams with picks lower than No. 20.

Thursday was a good day for Diallo at the Combine. He didn’t participate in the 5-on-5 games but he blew out the measurements portion of the day. He recorded a maximum vertical leap of 44.5 inches, the second highest ever recorded. Watch.

Also, Diallo’s wingspan was measured at three-quarters of an inch under 7-feet. That was one of the longest ever recorded by a shooting guard, Draft Express reports.

Diallo has yet to hire an agent and says he is uncertain as to whether he will stay in the Draft.

On the Combine broadcast, Kentucky coach John Calipari guessed that it would take Diallo being assured of a pick in the 20-to-22 range to convince him to fully declare. He added that he doubts Diallo will make the lottery.

“If someone takes him in the lottery I will retire,” said Calipari. “Four months, doesn’t play, lottery pick, I’m done. I’m stopping.”

Diallo has until May 25 to decide what to do but increasingly it looks like he will be sitting on or near the floor at Barclays Center on June 22.

In other Nets news out of the Combine, Zagoria reports that UNC big man Tony Bradley has met with the Nets.

Bradley who didn’t start for the national champions, is listed at No. 35 on the latest Draft Express mock draft.

• NBA Draft Combine: Hamidou Diallo, man of mystery, creating first-round buzz - Sean Deveney - The Sporting News