Daily Knicks
Fansided

NY Knicks: Ranking Walt Perrin, Utah Jazz Top 10 draft picks

By Vivek Dadhania

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 09: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on during a game against the Toronto Raptors at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 9, 2020 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - MARCH 09: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz looks on during a game against the Toronto Raptors at Vivint Smart Home Arena on March 9, 2020 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 11
Next
Knicks
SALT LAKE CITY, UT – NOVEMBER 5: Kevin Love #0 of the Cleveland Cavaliers guards Enes Kanter #0 of the Utah Jazz during their game at EnergySolutions Arena on November 5, 2014 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images) /

9) Enes Kanter: 2011 NBA Draft (3rd Overall Pick)

Enes Kanter had a lot of intrigue heading into the 2011 NBA Draft. He emigrated to the United States in 2009 to play basketball, but had to cycle through three high schools to play in games due to eligibility concerns.

Kanter played professionally in Istanbul and purportedly received money from the team, thus threatening his status as an amateur basketball player. Due to those threats, he wasn’t able to play basketball at both Findlay Prep & Beckley Mountain State. He finally transferred to Stoneridge Prep in Simi Valley, California where he played one year of high school basketball before committing to the University of Kentucky. He also played in the 2010 Nike Hoops Summit exhibition game.

However, the investigations surrounding Kanter’s eligibility carried over to the NCAA. As a result, the NCAA ruled Kanter ineligible and he wasn’t able to play any college basketball. Despite the eligibility concerns, Kanter declared himself for the 2011 NBA Draft and was considered a mystery prospect to many teams.

As for the Utah Jazz, Perrin already did his homework on Kanter by watching film and through the player interviews, as discussed in the video below:

Seeing Kanter’s potential as a legitimate 7-foot big man, the Jazz went ahead and drafted him with the 3rd overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

Kanter came off the bench during his first two seasons and claimed the starting position during the 2013-14 season. By the 2014-15 season, Kanter became the full-time starting center. However, Kanter demanded a trade before the trade deadline as he voiced frustration over playing time, especially losing minutes to sophomore Rudy Gobert. The Jazz granted his trade request and traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Kanter’s spent his post-Jazz tenure with the Thunder, Knicks, Trailblazers, & Celtics. With all four teams, he’s been a near double double threat, but his defensive shortcomings limited his upside against playoff teams.

Home/Knicks News