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New York Knicks: NBA Draft Point Guards To Watch In 2016-17

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 20, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Edmond Sumner (4) brings the ball up court during the second half in the second round against the Wisconsin Badgers of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; Xavier Musketeers guard Edmond Sumner (4) brings the ball up court during the second half in the second round against the Wisconsin Badgers of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Scottrade Center. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 30, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; From left to right McDonald’s All-Americans TJ Leaf (22) and Lonzo Ball (2) who will both be attending UCLA pose for a group photo before the McDonald’s High School All-American Game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; From left to right McDonald’s All-Americans TJ Leaf (22) and Lonzo Ball (2) who will both be attending UCLA pose for a group photo before the McDonald’s High School All-American Game at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Lonzo Ball, UCLA Bruins

Class: Freshman
Age: 18 (10/27/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4.5″, 162 pounds, 6’7″
2015-16 Slash Line: N/A
2015-16 Season Averages: N/A

Steve Alford and the UCLA Bruins have landed a gem of an incoming recruit in freshman point guard Lonzo Ball. Long heralded as one of the most well-rounded players on the high school and AAU scenes, Ball will play in the Pac-12 in 2016-17.

Phil Jackson has a well-documented love for guards with size, and Ball perfectly fits the bill—the first of many reasons to look his way.

Ball was last measured at just under 6’5″ with a 6’7″ wingspan, but he’s been listed at 6’6″ in the two years since. Regardless of which measurement is accurate, Ball clearly has the size and length to be a defensive force and deterrent.

Ball is also a gifted ball-handler and passer who can create for his teammates and facilitate the offense in both the half court and transition.

Ball’s jump shot is still a work in progress, which is why he could be available for the Knicks on the outside of the draft lottery. New York could potentially miss the playoffs, but the hope is that it will be one of the eight teams representing the Eastern Conference in the postseason.

There’s no guaranteeing that Ball will pan out as the starting-caliber point guard his upside permits him to be, but it’s certainly worth monitoring his progress.

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