New York Knicks: NBA Draft Prospects Who Shined In Round Of 64

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Mar 16, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Monte Morris (11) celebrates during the first half of the game against the Nevada Wolf Pack in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-USA TODAY Sports /

Monte Morris, Iowa State Cyclones

Position: Point Guard
Age: 21 (6/27/1995)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’3″, 175 pounds, 6’2″
2016-17 Slash Line: .464/.390/.804
2016-17 Season Averages: 35.2 MPG, 16.4 PPG, 6.1 APG, 4.9 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 1.6 3PM

The New York Knicks need a point guard and Monte Morris is on pace to suffer an unjust slide down draft boards in 2017. A senior who has maintained steady and efficient production, Morris is likely to be penalized for his age alone.

If Morris were to slip to the Knicks in the second round, it would be worth exploring his NBA potential—and his performance in the Round of 64 is proof as to why.

Morris led the Iowa State Cyclones to an 84-73 win over a Nevada Wolfpack team with an NBA-caliber talent in power forward Cameron Oliver. The senior point guard flirted with a triple-double, recording 19 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in 31 minutes.

Morris did so with efficiency, shooting 5-of-12 from the field, 2-of-5 from 3-point range, and 7-of-7 from the free throw line.

Morris may or may not be a starting-caliber player at the next level, but he looks the part of a quality reserve. He has adequate size for a point guard, plays the passing lanes well on defense, is a high-level facilitator, and has a strong outside shot.

If the Knicks opt against drafting a point guard in the first round, then Morris would be an ideal target during the second round of the 2017 NBA Draft.

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