The New York Knicks are high on draft prospect Frank Ntilikina. A former scout with the team had good things to say about the point guard.
The 2017 NBA Draft is all about the point guards. One of the high-profile prospects linked to the New York Knicks is Frank Ntilikina.
The 18-year-old received some words of encouragement from a former team employee. Apparently, he’d fit in well with Kristaps Porzingis.
Via Marc Berman of The New York Post:
“He’s a killer,’’ former Knicks European scout Tim Shea told The Post. “Definitely a lottery pick, top 7. Right now he’s a backup, but he can get out there and he’d be great for Kristaps [Porzingis]. He’d be happy to see him, too.’’
The Knicks lost their draft tiebreaker on Tuesday afternoon to the Timberwolves and fell to seventh in the draft order. They should be in a position to draft Ntilikina at No. 7.
In DraftExpress.com’s latest mock draft, Ntilikina is selected 11th by the Charlotte Hornets. He’s 10th in the site’s top 100 prospects.
Per Berman, Shea talks about Frank’s strengths and weaknesses.
“He’s got big hands, quick hands who gets steals, passing ability,’’ said Shea, who lives in Spain and works for the analytics consulting firm GSA. “He doesn’t have his shot 100 percent yet — it’s still developing, it’s good not great — but he’s a point guard, intelligent on the floor.’’
Ntilikina, spotted this week working out at Carmelo Anthony‘s gym, plays professionally in France.
Taking an international prospect is always a risk, but it worked out the last time New York gave it a go.
