BYU forward Yoeli Childs has interviewed with the New York Knicks.
If you’ve never heard of BYU’s Yoeli Childs, you might want to get to know him soon. According to a recent report by Ian Begley of SNY, the New York Knicks interviewed the draft prospect, and the 6-foot-8 forward is leaving a strong impression on teams who have met with him.
What this means: Nobody is better than Ian Begley in carefully wording reports to accurately reflect what sources are telling him. If you read his latest on Childs, he notes the Knicks have met with the 6-foot-8 forward without specifically saying they were the ones impressed with him. Instead, he writes:
"“The Knicks interviewed Childs recently, per SNY sources, and those sources said Childs has been making a strong impression during interviews with teams who have picks in the early/mid second round.”"
As you can see in the bolded text, Childs is making an impression with teams (generalized) who have picks in the early/mid second round. New York could be one of these teams, but that is not clearly stated.
Who is Yoeli Childs? A four-year player at BYU, Childs started 111 of the 119 games he played in over his college career, finishing his senior season averaging 22.2 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, while earning his third First-team All-WCC selection.
As a prospect who isn’t guaranteed to be selected in the upcoming draft, it is important for Childs to make a strong impression in virtual workouts and interviews, which he appears to be doing.
Talking to reporters via Zoom recently, the strong, 225 pound forward said he models his game after Paul Milsap.
"“We’re very similar builds, similar sizes, and I really just admire the way he was able to come in and carve out a role,” Childs said in comparing himself to Paul Milsap (via BYUtv Sports). “I really want to follow that blueprint. He came in and was a hustle guy — high energy, played hard, rebounded the ball at a high level, (and) cut. I want to be able to do all of those things and just kind of add to my game in the ways that he did, with continuing to improve his handles, shooting abilities, and switch abilities.”"
Does he make sense for the Knicks? The Knicks have three picks in the upcoming draft, including the 38th overall pick in the second round from Charlotte. While draft boards are fluid, and a lot can change from now until draft night, it seems like Childs is someone whom the team could secure by either trading back in the second round, by acquiring an additional second round pick, or by signing him as an undrafted prospect if he gets passed over.
Childs projects as a modern big man, not because he is going to shoot lights out from downtown, although he is working on improving his perimeter shot, but because he can do a lot of little things to help his team win. While he is a lethal scorer in the post, he also can put up points in transition. And Tom Thibodeau would love his hustle and discipline as a screener and defender.