New York Knicks: 2017 NBA Draft grades
No. 8 — Frank Ntilikina
The New York Knicks are hoping their road to recovery from a tough season is sparked by the young 18-year-old from France. Frank Ntilinka will be counted on immediately to change the culture of a Knicks team clouded with controversy.
New York knows all too well the rewards of selecting an international player, as they have fared pretty well in the past with Danilo Gallinari in 2008 and most recently Kristaps Porzingis in 2015.
Ntilinka will be an improvement defensively at the guard position using his exceptional length 6’5″ to crowd commonly smaller point guards. Knicks team president Phil Jackson took time away from his Kristaps Porzingis trade sweepstakes to address his excitement with the media for Ntilinka as part of the team’s positive future.
"“We like the size of this young man, we like his aptitude for the game, athleticism, actually the ability to incorporate himself in a winning type of a situation,”"
New #Knicks pick Frank Ntilikina speaking to the @barclayscenter crowd during the #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/E0023yfQJ5
— Ed Easton Jr. (@EdEastonJr) June 23, 2017
The calm demeanor from Ntilikina will be vital surviving the unforgiving New York media and well-studied team fan base. It is worth noting that his draft selection yielded favorable responses from the Knicks faithful that filled the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Frank Ntilikina selected by the New York #Knicks No. 8 #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/G7Z9YVyZAZ
— Ed Easton Jr. (@EdEastonJr) June 23, 2017
He will still be a project for New York adjusting to the NBA game, but fans can rest assured this will not be like the last player selected from France, Frederic Weis as Ntilikina will be in a Knicks uniform right away.
Grade: B