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New York Knicks: 5 options for pick No. 9 in 2018 NBA Draft

By Kenneth Teape

SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats high fives fans on the way off the court after beating the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four semifinal game at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
SAN ANTONIO, TX - MARCH 31: Mikal Bridges #25 of the Villanova Wildcats high fives fans on the way off the court after beating the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2018 NCAA Men's Final Four semifinal game at the Alamodome on March 31, 2018 in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks: 5 options for pick No. 9 in 2018 NBA Draft
Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images /

3. Miles Bridges

Miles Bridges surprised a lot of people when he decided to return to Michigan State for his sophomore season. Things were not easy at Michigan State this year given the issues that the university had to deal with. Despite that, Bridges still played well.

However, he didn’t take the step forward you’d hope to see. Part of that could be him playing out of position, as the Spartans frontcourt was full with Jaren Jackson Jr. and Nick Ward also in the starting lineup. As a result, Bridges was pushed to small forward more than he probably should’ve been.

At 6’8″, Bridges profiles best as a power forward with the ability to play small forward. What sets him apart is his freakish athleticism. He can also score the ball from all over the court. He made 37.5 percent of his 3-pointers at Michigan State and 47 percent from the field overall. His shooting percentage dropped across the board in his sophomore season, but his free throw shooting improved immensely, up to 85.3 percent.

Finding consistency will be key for Bridges to maximize his offense. With more shot creators around him, his efficiency should improve as well, as he sometimes forced things as the only go-to scorer at Michigan State.

Bridges is also a solid defender and fits the bill of the kind of player that Fizdale wants on his team. With some development, Bridges could become a great player at the next level given his skill-set and athleticism.

If he lands in New York, the Knicks will be able to use him as a combo forward from the start. Think of the way that Michael Beasley was used last season. Bridges could fill in at either forward spot but is a better fit at power forward.

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