New York Knicks: 2018 NBA Draft targets who stepped up on Mar. 17

The Florida Gators are a defensive-minded team that values ball movement and teamwork. That doesn’t always mean Florida will run a gorgeous motion offense, but one of the players who has diversified the unit is shooting guard Jalen Hudson.

The former Virginia Tech Hokies scorer has thrived during his first season with the Gators, landing on the 2018 NBA Draft radar as a potential late first-round draft pick.

Hudson was Florida’s offense during the Round of 32, scoring 23 of his team’s 66 points. He shot 8-of-16 from the field, 2-of-5 from beyond the arc, and 5-of-8 at the free throw line, adding four rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

For perspective: Gators players other than Hudson shot a combined 17-of-47 from the field, 4-of-17 from three-point range, and 5-of-7 from the charity stripe.

In terms of his next-level projection, Hudson has the tools to be a high-quality three-and-D player. He has good size for the position at 6’5″ and has improved his ability to handle the ball and drive the lane during his redshirt junior season.

Hudson would benefit from spending another year at Florida, but if the New York Knicks believe he’s worth investing in with a second-round pick, it would be hard to blame them.