New York Knicks: Why Maurice Ndour Deserves a Shot

By Liam Feaviour | Jul 16, 2015

Jul 13, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Julius Randle (30) attempts to shoot the ball as New York Knicks forward Maurice Ndour (55) defends during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

For the New York Knicks this offseason, all the talk has been around their two new star draft picks Kristaps Porzingis and Jerian Grant. However, throughout the Knicks’ Summer League campaign, it’s an undrafted rookie who is making a name for himself.

Maurice Ndour is a 6-foot-9 power forward whose energy and ability to score has seen him help the Knicks win all three of their Summer League games to date. His most notable outing came in their last victory in OT against the 76ers, where he notched 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting as well as six boards.

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His ability to score has been his biggest asset thus far in Summer League, showing off a slick mid-range jumper as well as ability to score inside. As far as I’m concerned, the Knicks need to take a chance on Ndour, who was born in Senegal but learned his basketball in Japan.

Admittedly, after a relatively successful offseason the Knicks are hardly short of big men. The free agent signings of Robin Lopez, Kyle O’Quinn, Derrick Williams and Lou Amundson have left them well stocked, along with drafting Porzingis.

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However, you can never really have too much depth and Ndour’s energy and ability to run the floor is something the other big men lack. On top of that, his passing ability has been on display in Summer League and if the Knicks are to persist with the triangle offense he could just fit the bill nicely.

The Knicks have two roster spots available for next season at this moment and have little to lose with Ndour, with a stock of big men already he is going to play limited minutes assuming there aren’t a flurry of injuries.

So at this point, to give him a spot wouldn’t be a big risk, with his energy he could be a big boost off the bench in games and he has shown he can play in the system. Also, after his impressive Summer League, other teams will now surely be looking at him and the Knicks can’t afford to see him go elsewhere in the league.

The Knicks have nothing to lose on Ndour and need big energy guys, something they seemed to lack last year. Filling a spot with Ndour will leave one more, hopefully filled by a guard and the Knicks will be set for the 2015-16 season.

What do you think of Maurice Ndour? Comment below!

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