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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 12, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) celebrates after cutting down the net following a win over Arkansas Razorbacks during the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky won 82-65. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) celebrates after cutting down the net following a win over Arkansas Razorbacks during the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky won 82-65. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Malik Monk, Kentucky Wildcats

Position: Point Guard
Age: 19 (2/4/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’3.5″, 197 pounds, 6’6″
2016-17 Slash Line: .457/.403/.822
2016-17 Season Averages: 32.1 MPG, 20.4 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 2.8 3PM

Malik Monk has consistently lended credence to the belief that he can be an elite scorer in the NBA. Though a point guard of his playing style may have struggled during previous generations, this is the era of the score-first point guard.

If the New York Knicks are aiming to complement Kristaps Porzingis with a player who can light up the scoreboard, then it would be difficult to find a better option than Monk.

Monk has a 36.5″ no-step vertical leap and a max vert that’s been registered at an insane 42.0″. In addition to being one of the most explosive athletes in the country, Monk has a legitimately elite jump shot that he can get off from just about anywhere in the halfcourt.

It’s rare that players are both explosive athletically and lights-out as shooters, but that’s exactly what Monk has proven to be with the Kentucky Wildcats.

There are rational questions pertaining to his ability to step into the role of a facilitator. True as that may be, he’s playing on a Kentucky team that has two other NBA-caliber guards in De’Aaron Fox and Isaiah Briscoe.

Monk is a team player with an alluring combination of athleticism and skill, which beckons the question: can the Knicks rationally let him slide beyond them in the 2017 NBA Draft?

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