New York Knicks: A way too early 2018 NBA Mock Draft

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – April 14: Mitchell Robinson #24 W. Kentucky dunks during the Jordan Brand Classic, National Boys Team All-Star basketball game at The Barclays Center on April 14, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images) /

In recent weeks, Mitchell Robinson has become the most prominent name on the news reel. He’s flirted with skipping his freshman season, but has instead returned to the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and is primed and ready for a monumental season.

Robinson could have chosen almost any school he wanted, but he’s taken on the challenge of elevating Western Kentucky to relevance.

Robinson has elite physical gifts as a 7’0″ center with a near 7’4″ wingspan, a 9’3″ standing reach, and a build that’s filling out. He can dominate the paint with his size, length, and physicality, and projects to do exactly that in 2017-18.

Robinson has no trouble whatsoever playing above the rim, and that includes when he’s working in traffic and competing for offensive rebounds.

Defensively, Robinson has the tools to be a dominant shot-blocker and an even better rebounder. Some will accuse him of being too traditional, but he’s making the effort to add a jump shot and should be an excellent rim protector.

Willy Hernangomez has star potential, but if Robinson lives up to the hype, even the New York Knicks will be eyeing him.

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