New York Knicks: 15 greatest draft picks in franchise history

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 25: Kristaps Porzingis meets with Commissioner Adam Silver after being selected fourth overall by the New York Knicks in the First Round of the 2015 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 25, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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Ken Sears was one of the earliest draft picks made by the New York Knicks. Selected at No. 4 overall in the 1955 NBA Draft, Sears made an almost seamless transition from Santa Clara University to the Association.

A versatile forward who played both the 3 and the 4 in a loosely defined era, Sears went on to become one of the greatest scorers in franchise history.

Sears was a two-time All-Star who twice led the NBA in field goal percentage. He twice averaged a double-double, as well, and his defining season came in 1958-59, when he orchestrated one of the most important seasons in franchise history.

Sears averaged 21.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 1.9 assists on a league-leading 49.0 percent shooting from the field—and that’s only half the story.

It was in 1958-59 that Sears led the Knicks to their first postseason appearance since the end of the Joe Lapchick era. Snapping a three-year drought was only a temporary fix, but it held Knicks fans over until the all-time teams of the late 60s and early 70s arrived.

As one of the most productive scorers of his time, Sears easily justified the use of the No. 4 overall selection in the 1955 NBA Draft.