Daily Knicks
Fansided

Knicks Rumors: Six 2017 NBA Draft Targets Revealed

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (left) and guard De'Aaron Fox speak at a press conference after defeating the UCLA Bruins during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Kentucky won 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (left) and guard De'Aaron Fox speak at a press conference after defeating the UCLA Bruins during the semifinals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Kentucky won 86-75. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 7
Next

Frank Ntilikina, Strasbourg

Position: Point Guard
Age: 18 (7/28/1998)
Height & Weight: 6’5″ & 170 pounds
2016-17 Slash Line: .496/.435/.583
2016-17 Season Averages: 10.5 PTS/36, 4.1 REB/36, 2.6 AST/36, 1.3 STL/36, 1.4 3PM/36

The New York Knicks have a well-documented interest in international phenom Frank Ntilikina. The Belgian-born point guard has emerged as one of the most promising young players on the European basketball scene.

General manager Steve Mills recent traveled to France to scout Ntilikina in person, and that’s a fair reflection of how serious New York’s interest is.

For those unfamiliar, Ntilikina is a 6’5″ point guard who has been on the NBA Draft radar for more than two years. In 2016, he led France to the gold medal at the FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, and was awarded the Rising Star Award in France’s LNB Pro A.

For perspective: previous winners of the Rising Star Award include current NBA players Nicolas Batum, Clint Capela, Boris Diaw, Evan Fournier, and Tony Parker.

That’s far from a guarantee that Ntilikina will become a star at the next level, but the odds are in his favor. He has elite size for a point guard, as well as intriguing court vision and an outside stroke that could translate to the NBA.

If the Knicks manage to draft Ntilikina, then Jeff Hornacek would have the perfect point guard for the triangle offense.

Must Read: Final pre-lottery 2017 NBA Mock Draft

If the New York Knicks are going to successfully build for the future, then Phil Jackson will need to ace the 2017 NBA Draft. These prospects could help him do so.

Home/Knicks Rumors