New York Knicks: 2017 NBA Draft Point Guards To Keep An Eye On

Frank Ntilikina, Germany

Projected: Top 10
Age: 18 (7/28/1998)
Height & Weight: 6’5″ & 170 pounds
2016-17 Slash Line (LNB Pro A): .473/.429/.714
2016-17 Per 36 Averages (LNB Pro A): 10.1 PTS, 4.0 REB, 1.2 OREB, 1.5 AST, 1.2 STL, 1.4 3PM

Frank Ntilikina is the international point guard who could bust the landscape of the NBA wide open. European big men are taking the Association by storm, but Ntilikina could join Dennis Schröder as players who could help take over the perimeter.

Ntilikina has elite size and a well-rounded skill set—the type of combination that Phil Jackson covets at the point guard position.

It’s no secret that Phil Jackson covets European players for their advanced fundamentals. Willy Hernangomez of Spain, Mindaugas Kuzminskas of Lithuania, and Kristaps Porzingis of Latvia are all building blocks in Jackson’s system.

Ntilikina hasn’t played in Spain’s Liga ACB like Hernangomez, Kuzminskas, and Porzingis have, but he’s quite the intriguing player.

Ntilikina is a 6’5″ point guard with the court vision to be a facilitator and the shooting range to keep players honest. There will be a transition period from Europe to the NBA, but he’s been dominant in FIBA U18 competition.

For perspective, Ntilikina won the 2016 French Rising Star award—an honor earned by NBA players such as Nicolas Batum, Clint Capela, Boris Diaw, Evan Fournier, Ian Mahinmi, and Tony Parker.