New York Knicks: 2018 NBA Draft sleepers to watch in the Sweet 16

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BOISE, ID – MARCH 17: Rui Hachimura #21 of the Gonzaga Bulldogs reacts during the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Taco Bell Arena on March 17, 2018 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Age: 20 (2/8/1998)
Height & Weight: 6’8″ & 225 pounds
Slash Line: .575/.192/.798
Season Averages: 20.3 MPG, 13.4 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 0.6 APG, 0.5 BPG, 0.5 SPG

The Gonzaga Bulldogs are a perennial contender in the NCAA Tournament, but Mark Few hasn’t exactly produced a laundry list of NBA players. One of the players who has a chance to buck the trend is current small forward Rui Hachimura.

Still somewhat raw overall, Hachimura has the combination of size, length, athleticism, and work ethic to be a project worth investing in at the next level.

A vast majority of Hachimura’s game is based on his physical abilities, which is reason to be skeptical of how he’ll transition to the NBA. He doesn’t have much of a jump shot, nor has he displayed the stability with his handle to consistently create in isolation.

If the New York Knicks are willing to commit significant resources to helping Hachimura develop his skill set, however, he could realize his genuine star potential.

Hachimura is 6’8″ and 225 pounds with a muscular frame and the athletic ability to defend multiple positions and finish above the rim on offense. Offensively, he’s already flashing the willingness to work the pick and roll, go to the post, and shoot when he’s given space.

Hachimura is size, athleticism, and raw talent at this point, but he’s worked tirelessly to improve his game—see: his free throw percentage going from .542 in 2016-17 to .798 in 2017-18.

Throw in the fact that he looks far bigger than 6’8″ on the court, and Hachimura has riveting potential.

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