New York Knicks: Checking in on Top 5 2018 NBA Draft prospects

5. Mohamed Bamba, Texas Longhorns

Position: Center
Age: 19 (5/12/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’0″, 216 pounds, 7’9″
2017-18 Slash Line: .647/.200/.625
2017-18 Season Averages: 21.0 MPG, 14.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 3.0 ORPG, 1.0 APG, 4.5 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 3PM

If the New York Knicks are going to build through the interior, then complementing Kristaps Porzingis with the ideal talent at center will be crucial. That process could be completed with Willy Hernangomez, Enes Kanter, and Kyle O’Quinn, but if New York wants another rising star down low, it will have options in the 2018 NBA Draft.

That list begins with Texas Longhorns center Mohamed Bamba, whose physical gifts are awe-inspiring enough to impress even the most committed of Kristaps Porzingis fans.

Bamba, a New York City native,  stands at 7’0” and 216 pounds with an absolutely uncanny 7’9” wingspan. That’s a longer wingspan than the measurements recorded for the likes of LaMarcus Aldridge, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gobert, and, perhaps most applicably, Porzingis.

By playing Bamba at center and Porzingis at the 4, the Knicks would have a rare opportunity to legitimately dominate the offensive and defensive interiors with their mere presence on the court.

Bamba has only played two games, but he’s already looking the part of a future star. He posted 14 points, eight rebounds, two assists, four blocks, and a steal in 23 minutes against Northwestern State, and had 13 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks, and one steal in just 19 minutes against Lipscomb.

By drafting the Longhorns standout, the Knicks would have three physical anomalies: Frank Ntilikina, Porzingis, and Bamba.