New York Knicks: International prospects to consider in 2017 NBA Draft

Kostja Mushidi, Mega Leks

Projection: Late Second Round
Position: Shooting Guard
Age: 18 (6/18/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’5″, 210 pounds, 7’0.75″
2016-17 Slash Line: .395/.328/.759
2016-17 Per 36 Averages: 14.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.1 steals, 2.7 3-point field goals made

Born in Belgium, Kostja Mushidi has become one of the most promising young players on the rapidly improving German national team. With elite size for his position and an impressive outside shot, Mushidi could be a draft-night steal.

For a New York Knicks team that needs to improve its backcourt, Mushidi should be an option at both No. 44 and No. 58 overall.

Mushidi has a prototypical build for an NBA shooting guard at 6’5″ and 216 pounds with a wingspan that flirts with 7’1″. He also has a massive standing reach of 8’8.25″, which creates an intriguing parallel to be drawn.

Although shorter by two inches, Mushidi has almost identical measurements in length and reach to respected NBA swingman Nicolas Batum.

Mushidi will need to improve his mechanics on both ends of the floor, but there’s raw potential to tap into.

At 19 years of age, he’s a moldable talent who has come up in a system-oriented league. He needs to stop bringing the ball down before he shoots, but sharpshooters such as Courtney Lee and head coach Jeff Hornacek would help him improve.

Mushidi isn’t a sure-thing, but with his physical tools and evolving offensive game, which includes off-ball value, the Knicks should be looking his way.