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New York Knicks: 2018 NBA Draft sleepers to watch in NCAA Tournament

By Maxwell Ogden

LUBBOCK, TX - MARCH 3: Zhaire Smith #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders defends the in bounds pass from Alex Robinson #25 of the TCU Horned Frogs during the game on March 3, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated TCU 79-75. Texas Tech defeated TCU 79-75. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX - MARCH 3: Zhaire Smith #2 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders defends the in bounds pass from Alex Robinson #25 of the TCU Horned Frogs during the game on March 3, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Texas Tech defeated TCU 79-75. Texas Tech defeated TCU 79-75. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /
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LUBBOCK, TX – FEBRUARY 24: Malik Newman #14 of the Kansas Jayhawks drives to the basket against Zach Smith #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the game on February 24, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Kansas defeated Texas Tech 74-72. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images)
LUBBOCK, TX – FEBRUARY 24: Malik Newman #14 of the Kansas Jayhawks drives to the basket against Zach Smith #11 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the game on February 24, 2018 at United Supermarket Arena in Lubbock, Texas. Kansas defeated Texas Tech 74-72. (Photo by John Weast/Getty Images) /

If you’re looking for the next Lou Williams, then you may not have to look any further than Kansas Jayhawks star Malik Newman. I’ve been hyping him up on Daily Knicks since he was a freshman, and in 2017-18, he’s finally breaking through.

Fresh off of what can only be described as a dominant showing in the Big 12 Tournament, Newman will have an even bigger stage to shine on in the NCAA Tournament.

Newman is an undersized shooting guard, but he can put up points in a hurry with a well-rounded offensive skill set. He can take his man off the bounce, finish in traffic, space the floor from beyond the arc, and operate from midrange.

Newman was inevitably tasked with shaking off the rust during the early months of the 2017-18 campaign, but he showed his true colors in the Big 12 Tournament.

Newman finished the Big 12 Tournament with averages of 24.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.3 steals, and 5.0 three-point field goals made per game. Those clearly aren’t sustainable numbers, but it was a display of what Newman is capable of.

A dynamic scorer who can create in isolation or work off-ball, Newman can play a vital role for the New York Knicks as the anchor of the second unit.

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