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

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers guard Antonio Blakeney (2) waves to fans as he leaves the floor after defeating the Tennessee Volunteers in game seven of the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena. LSU won 84-75. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; LSU Tigers guard Antonio Blakeney (2) waves to fans as he leaves the floor after defeating the Tennessee Volunteers in game seven of the SEC tournament at Bridgestone Arena. LSU won 84-75. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Rhode Island Rams guard E.C. Matthews (0) drives to the basket as Kansas Jayhawks guard Brannen Greene (14) attempted to defend during the first half at HP Field house at Wide World of Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; Rhode Island Rams guard E.C. Matthews (0) drives to the basket as Kansas Jayhawks guard Brannen Greene (14) attempted to defend during the first half at HP Field house at Wide World of Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

E.C. Matthews, Rhode Island Rams

Class: RS Junior
Age: 21 (10/3/1995)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’4″, 181 pounds, 6’7″
2014-15 Slash Line: .410/.325/.734
2014-15 Season Averages: 32.9 MPG, 16.9 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 2.0 APG, 0.8 SPG, 2.1 3PM

If not for a season-ending knee injury suffered during the first game of the 2015-16 season, E.C. Matthews likely would’ve been drafted in 2016. The Rhode Island Rams star earned NBA hype during his first two collegiate seasons.

If he manages to remain healthy during the 2016-17 college basketball season, Matthews could prove himself to be worthy of one of the New York Knicks’ draft picks.

With players like Matthews, it’s especially important to look beyond the percentages and at the actual skills. Thus, while he shot 32.9 percent from 3-point range between 2013-14 and 2014-15, he did so while making 115 3-point field goals.

That includes the 68 he made during the 2014-15 campaign, when he was a ball-dominant player who often shot off the bounce.

Matthews is a slasher, shooter, and facilitator combined into one intriguing shooting guard prospect. He needs to cut down on his turnovers, improve his shot selection, and commit more defensively, but the talent is clearly there.

The New York Knicks own two second-round draft picks in 2017. Targeting Matthews with one could be a wise idea.

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