New York Knicks point guard Frank Ntilikina has been one of the most underwhelming lottery picks in recent years.
After the Knicks drafted Ntilikina with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, he has failed to score more than five points per game or shoot better than 37 percent from the field in each of his first two seasons in the league. In fact, Ntilikina produced a negative win share last season.
However, the French international showed signs of improvement at the 2019 FIBA World Cup. Though Ntilikina only averaged 8.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game, he shackled Team USA point guard Kemba Walker in the quarterfinals and scored 16 points in the semifinals against Argentina.
In an interview with the “French Knicks Pod,” Ntilikina spoke about his determination to carry his strong performance from the World Cup into his third season with the Knicks:
“Yes! I will try to make the most of every opportunity,” Ntilikina said when asked if he expects to reproduce his FIBA performance with New York.
“Of course it's another competition with the Knicks, but my daily challenge is the same, win each game. It's up to me to be strong enough to succeed in every opportunity.”
Ntilikina also expanded on what he brings to the court:
“I am a complete player who has a very good court vision, and a versatile player. I have to keep working to reproduce that at a very high level and become the best player possible.
“The next step is to transfer that to the NBA.”
The Knicks struck out on the Zion Williamson sweepstakes and failed to sign a big-name free agent this offseason, so they will have to rely on youngsters like Ntilikina, Dennis Smith Jr. and top draft pick R.J. Barrett to show significant growth during the 2019-20 NBA season.
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