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2018 NBA Draft: Top 5 centers for the New York Knicks

By Maxwell Ogden

AUSTIN, TX - FEBRUARY 7: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns and Makol Mawien #14 of the Kansas State Wildcats jockey for position at the Frank Erwin Center on February 7, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX - FEBRUARY 7: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns and Makol Mawien #14 of the Kansas State Wildcats jockey for position at the Frank Erwin Center on February 7, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /
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AUSTIN, TX – FEBRUARY 24: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns runs up court against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at the Frank Erwin Center on February 24, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, TX – FEBRUARY 24: Mohamed Bamba #4 of the Texas Longhorns runs up court against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at the Frank Erwin Center on February 24, 2018 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

Age: 19 (5/12/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’0″, 225 pounds, 7’9″
Slash Line: .535/.265/.681
Season Averages: 30.8 MPG, 13.0 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 3.2 ORPG, 3.8 BPG, 0.5 3PM

Mohamed Bamba is a Harlem native, which will inevitably appeal to New York Knicks fans. The reasons for intrigue range far beyond the city he was born in, as Bamba has the tools to help form the single biggest frontcourt in the NBA.

If the Knicks were to pair Bamba with Kristaps Porzingis, they’d redefine what it means to have a Twin Towers situation along the offensive and defensive interiors.

While Porzingis is a 7’3″ phenom with unprecedented athleticism and coordination, Bamba is a 7’0″ center with a colossal 7’9″ wingspan. Defensively, the Knicks would essentially have two spins on Rudy Gobert at the power forward and center positions.

In other words: If Porzingis and Bamba realize their respective and collective potential, New York could dominate the defensive interior in an unprecedented manner.

Bamba currently ranks No. 7 in the country in block percentage and No. 16 in defensive rebound percentage. Offensively, he’s made 13 three-point field goals, ranks in the top 100 in offensive rebound percentage, has a solid handle, and is flashing the ability to operate with his back to the basket.

If the goal is to physically overwhelm opposing offenses and defenses, then I’m not sure any combination would do a better job of that than Bamba and Porzingis.

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