Diebler, who will turn 23 the day before the draft, led the nation in 3-point accuracy this season at 50.2 percent. He?s compared to Bulls guard Kyle Korver or Sixers guard Jason Kapono.
?I?ve been watching Kyle Korver,? he said. ?That?s the role I think I can play in the NBA. He comes off the bench, spaces the floor and makes shots. He doesn?t try to over think the game. He takes what?s given to him. He plays off screens.?
NBA teams are always looking for long-range shooters.
?It definitely helps me because 90 percent of the league is (made up of) role players,? Diebler said. ?I feel like there?s always room for a shooter, just because what they bring to the floor. Not just shooting the basketball, but drawing the attention of the defense, spacing the floor, creating lanes for other people.
?That?s what I did for four years at Ohio State, so I feel comfortable playing that role and I know what my role would be if I make it at the next level. I feel like it definitely gives me an advantage.?
Diebler, Ohio?s all-time leading prep scorer from Upper Sandusky, said he thinks he could be the best shooter in the draft. BYU guard Jimmer Fredette currently holds that distinction.
?That was my role for four years,? Diebler said. ?My job was to make shots. I believe I definitely can shoot it with the best of them.
?Jimmer did so much for his team. Everyone knows he can shoot the ball. His was more off the bounce and mine was more catch and shoot, so there are definitely some differences. He can definitely shoot the ball as everyone knows. I?m very confident in my ability to shoot the basketball.?
Diebler withdrew from the Portsmouth (Va.) Invitational Tournament, which raised some eyebrows. Now we know why. Diebler said he separated his shoulder in the first half of OSU?s loss to Kentucky in the NCAA tournament.
?I took a couple weeks off rehabbing that and getting that healthy, so I?m good now,? he said. ?It?s 100 percent now.
?At first I didn?t know what happened. I thought I had a stinger. I came out and was fine in the second half. Then after the game when I stopped moving, it started aching and started swelling up a little bit. I talked to our trainer and he said I probably partially separated it.?
Diebler is trying to get a gauge on where ? or if ? he?ll be drafted.
?I?ve been receiving a lot of feedback on that,? he said. ?They feel I can definitely play at the next level with my ability to shoot the ball. It?s just whether I can guard my position and that?s something I?m trying to prove to people out here.
?It?s not the end of the world if you don?t get drafted. Would I love to be? Absolutely, everyone would love to be. It?s a little unique this year, especially with the possibility of the lockout without summer league, but there?s always that chance.
?You hear stories of Manny Harris or Samardo (Samuels) or Wesley Matthews, who have been very successful. Guys like that, it definitely gives you confidence in knowing if you don?t get drafted, there?s still a chance you can make a team. You only have to impress one team to make it. One team has to like you. It?s a fun time right now.?
Diebler worked with noted trainer Joe Abunassar in Las Vegas.
?It got me prepared for these workouts,? Diebler said. ?We worked on my flexibility and balance. It?s very unique. I used some muscles I didn?t know I had.?
One of the players also working out with him was San Diego State small forward Kawhi Leonard (6-7, 227), who will likely be a lottery pick.
?He?s more athletic than people think he is,? Leonard said. ?Everybody has a chance. They just have to keep working hard for it. Hopefully, it all works out for him. He?s a great shooter.?
