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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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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 03: Josh Perkins #13 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs brings the ball up the court against the Loyola Marymount Lions during a quarterfinal game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 3, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 83-69. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 03: Josh Perkins #13 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs brings the ball up the court against the Loyola Marymount Lions during a quarterfinal game of the West Coast Conference basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on March 3, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Bulldogs won 83-69. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

As has become an annual expectation, the Gonzaga Bulldogs are back in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. One of the primary differences between this Gonzaga team and those in the past, however, is the quality of the guard play.

Bulldogs point guard Josh Perkins is old for his class and won’t blow anyone away with his physical tools, but he has a chance to hit the second round of the 2018 NBA Draft in March Madness.

Perkins has made the transition from combo guard to facilitator during his career-year in 2017-18. He’s averaging 2.3 more assists per 40 minutes in 2017-18 than he did in 2016-17 while actually committing 0.1 fewer turnovers per 40.

Beyond the numbers, Perkins is doing a better job of getting his teammates into their sets and recognizing the passing lanes that are available to him.

Beyond his improved playmaking is the fact that Perkins has become an elite three-point shooter. He’s always been effective from beyond the arc, but he’s averaging 2.9 three-point field goals made per 40 minutes on 40.8 percent shooting from distance in 2017-18.

If the New York Knicks have a chance to acquire another second-round draft pick, then Perkins could be a player worth developing in the G League.

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