Malik Monk, Kentucky Wildcats
Class: Freshman
Age: 18 (2/4/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’3.5″, 187 pounds, 6’6″
2015-16 Slash Line: N/A
2015-16 Season Averages: N/A
Malik Monk appeared on the list of point guards whom the New York Knicks should be scouting during the 2016-17 college basketball season. He’s a positionally ambiguous player with the potential to transform that into versatility, however, which is why he’s here, as well.
Explosive athletes will never go out of style, which is exactly why Monk’s height can be forgiven based on the athletic gifts he possesses.
Monk has a 42.0″ max vertical leap and the end-to-end speed to single-handedly lead a transition attack. He’ll gain invaluable experience under John Calipari, who will push him to give his greatest effort defensively.
If Monk learns how to turn defense into offense, then he should become one of the Knicks’ most coveted prospects in 2017.
Monk has lottery pick potential, but his lack of a defined position has left some skeptical of what he brings to the table. That could be a delightful result for the Knicks, as the hope in New York as that Jeff Hornacek will lead this group to the playoffs and out of the draft lottery.
It’s impossible to make accurate predictions so far from June, but Monk is the type of player whom the Knicks should scout and study.