The New York Knicks have a long seven months before the 2019 NBA Draft. In the meantime, who has continued to stand out in college basketball?
The New York Knicks own a 7-14 record through 21 games. If the season ended today, they would sit with the fifth-best lottery odds for the 2019 NBA Draft, which features the next batch of talent from college basketball and Europe who are ready to make the jump.
With one month into the college basketball season, potential NBA players have begun to establish their respective stock. It’s early, but some players have risen and others fell.
Daily Knicks’ previous draft rankings featured Duke’s trio in the top three. Do they still hold these spots? What about Bol Bol of Oregon and Rui Hachimura of Gonzaga?
So, for a second time, let’s update where some of college basketball’s best prospects stand:
10. De’Andre Hunter, Virginia
Previous rank: N/A
Position: Guard/Forward
Height: 6-foot-8
Stats: 16.8 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.0 BPG, 0.3 SPG, 1.2 3PM, 61.3 percent shooting, 46.7 percent on three-pointers
De’Andre Hunter is one of the NBA Draft’s most intriguing players physically. His size and 7-foot-2 wingspan project as not just a wing, but a versatile defender that guards positions one through four in the pros.
So far, so good in Hunter’s first season with a major role at Virginia. Contributing across the board, he averages 16.8 points and has found a solid three-point shot since the third game against Coppin State.
With the physical profile and early production, Hunter projects as a lottery pick. He’s quickly putting it all together, after taking a bench role in 2017-18.
9. Keldon Johnson, Kentucky
Previous rank: 9th
Position: Guard/Forward
Height: 6-foot-5
Stats: 16.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 0.7 3PM, 49.2 percent shooting, 26.7 percent on three-pointers
Since opening night, Keldon Johnson has continued to look terrific for the Wildcats. He leads them in scoring, at 16.5 points per game, and sticks as a wing amongst one of head coach John Calipari’s less heralded teams than usual.
Johnson’s early deficiency is three-point shooting, with just 4-for-15 on attempts. Kentucky needs more outside play from their best scorer, and he needs it to develop his draft profile. It’s still just six games in, though, and he recently had a 3-for-8 stretch.
Johnson would provide an intriguing talent for the New York Knicks backcourt and the frontcourt, in smaller lineups. The need for him, though, may not be there, with Allonzo Trier and Tim Hardaway Jr. to handle the two-spot.