New York Knicks: 5 reasons to be excited for 2019-20 NBA season

Frank from France

Having struggled to make any form of impact since entering the NBA, Frank Ntilikina came of of age at the FIBA World Cup, averaging 8.9 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game on 47.9 percent shooting from the field, 36.4 percent from 3 and 88.9 percent from the line.

So far in his NBA career, Frank has played in 121 games, starting just 25 of them. His career splits are not a far cry from what he is averaging at the World Cup, with 5.9 points, 2.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

However, Frank has gone for multiple double-digit scoring games during France’s impressive tournament dropping 12 on Jordan in the first round, 11 on Team USA in the quarter-finals and 16 against Argentina in the semis.

That’s still short of his career-high of 18 against the Charlotte Hornets back in December 2018.

Turning the ball over 14.4 percent of the time last year while only hitting 85.1 points per 100 shot attempts, Frank was being written off. His NBA career was looking bleaker by the game with no sign of improvement on the horizon.

His performances during this tournament should provide him with another opportunity this year, with a renewed confidence in his ability. At 6’5 with a 7’1 wingspan, he has all the physical tools necessary to carve out a role for himself in the league.

Currently shooting 30.5 percent from three and 35.4 percent from the field, he needs to take smarter shots — and make them. If he can develop some reliable go-to moves, and improve on his porous defense he will have a shot at making an NBA roster at the end of his current contract.

It’s going to be interesting to see just how much this tournament acts as a platform for future success in the NBA.