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New York Knicks: Top 10 2017 NBA Draft Prospects In The NCAA Tournament

By Maxwell Ogden

Feb 28, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots over Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) in the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2017; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Jayson Tatum (0) shoots over Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) in the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 9, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) drives to the basket past Penn State Nittany Lions forward Payton Banks (0) in the first half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) drives to the basket past Penn State Nittany Lions forward Payton Banks (0) in the first half during the Big Ten Conference Tournament at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Miles Bridges, Michigan State Spartans

Position: Small Forward
Age: 18 (3/21/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’6.25″, 226 pounds, 6’8.75″
2016-17 Slash Line: .481/.388/.687
2016-17 Season Averages: 31.8 MPG, 16.7 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 1.5 ORPG, 2.0 APG, 1.6 BPG, 0.7 SPG, 2.0 3PM

The Michigan State Spartans have done an outstanding job of developing versatile players who can play multiple positions. In recent years, Tom Izzo has developed the likes of All-NBA forward Draymond Green and promising rookie Denzel Valentine.

The New York Knicks don’t necessarily need to select a small forward in the draft lottery, but if they decide to, Bridges could be the ideal target.

Bridges could end up playing power forward in the NBA due to the way he plays the game. He’s more of an interior-based player at this stage of his development, which could result in him playing as something of a small-ball 4 at the next level.

If the Knicks decide to play Kristaps Porzingis full-time at center, however, then Bridges could be the ideal complement at the 4.

Bridges has progressively developed into a high-quality 3-point shooter during the 2016-17 season. That should help him in the NBA, as he can work as a bruising slasher or an off-ball shooter who can space the floor.

Bridges is something of a Lance Thomas type player with a higher ceiling—a ceiling that Carmelo Anthony could be the perfect mentor to help him reach.

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