New York Knicks: 2018 NBA Draft targets who stepped up on Mar. 8
Mikal Bridges may be the top player on the board for the New York Knicks, but Jalen Brunson is a frontrunner for National Player of the Year. Brunson has been the go-to scoring option and playmaker for a Villanova team that improved to 28-4 on Thursday, Mar. 8.
With a lethal jump shot, underrated finishing ability at the rim, and a knack for making the right play at the right time, Brunson could be a diamond in the rough in Round 2 of the 2018 NBA Draft.
Brunson continued his National Player of the Year campaign by taking over against the Marquette Golden Eagles in the quarterfinals of the Big East Tournament. He finished with 21 points, three assists, two rebounds, and a steal in just 29 minutes of action.
Brunson shot 8-of-13 from the field, 3-of-6 from beyond the arc, and 2-of-3 from the free throw line in yet another beautiful display of efficient scoring.
Brunson scored 12 of his 21 points within the first 12 minutes and 20 seconds of the second half. He stretched a seven-point lead at the half into a 20-point advantage with just under eight minutes remaining in the game.
If the Knicks decide that a sharpshooting point guard is needed to round the current roster into form, then performances like this prove that Brunson could be the answer.