NY Knicks: 3 top 2022 draft prospects from NCAA Tournament
1: JD Notae – Arkansas Razorbacks
In Arkansas’ trek to the Elite 8, it’s undeniable that JD Notae took the basketball world by storm. After averaging 17.5 points per game throughout the tournament, he was able to establish himself as one of the best pure scorers on the national stage in March.
Despite not being projected to be taken until the second round, I truly believe that Notae is someone who can start his professional career on an NBA roster. Throughout all four of his collegiate seasons, the point guard has been relied on to be the number option and has passed the test with flying colors.
If Leon Rose and the front office decide to use their lone second-rounder on the player from Covington, Ga., they’re selecting someone who can be a great complement to Quickley or anyone else starting at the point guard position next season.
Even if Notae does begin his tenure in Westchester, he’d have the opportunity to thrive in a developmental system that has proven to be elite. It’d allow him to translate his collegiate success to the professional level.
To follow up, Notae isn’t just a scorer. The senior averaged an astounding 2.3 steals per game along with 4 assists. While demonstrating his ability to find bigs inside after getting doubled on a drive, he also confirmed that he’s an absolute pest on defense because he can make the lives of other guards miserable.
Not to beat a dead horse, but Notae and Thibodeau would get along extremely well with their similar idealistic play styles and the way they simply approach a basketball game.
While many basketball fans might just consider Notae to be a popular name going into the draft, he’s definitely worth the gamble if he becomes available to New York in the second round.
