New York Knicks point guard Immanuel Quickley has emerged as one of the most promising young rookies early in the season. As it turns out, the former Kentucky standout's success has had a lot to do with a key connection stemming from his alma mater.
According to Quickley, the presence of former Wildcats assistant coach Kenny Payne in the Knicks coaching staff has played a significant role in how he has been able to adjust to life in the NBA:
“It’s helped me transition, great, honestly,” Quickley said, via Peter Botte of the New York Post. “Not even from the basketball side, but just from somebody that I know is going to push me day in and day out, somebody I can talk with, almost like a father figure, basically. It’s just great to have him, honestly.”
Payne, who worked as an assistant to John Calipari in Kentucky before agreeing to join Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau's staff in the offseason, has served as a mentor for Quickley throughout his young NBA career. For the 21-year-old, the presence of a familiar face has certainly aided in his development as well as with his comfort level in playing for one of the most high-profile teams in the league.
Quickley, the 25th overall pick of the draft, has played a key part in New York's second unit this season. He's one of coach Thibs' first players off the bench, and with how impressive the rookie has been thus far, it would not be surprising if he is handed over the starting job somewhere down the road. For now, however, Thibodeau appears to be comfortable playing Quickley off the bench — a role that he has thrived in thus far.
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