New York Knicks rookie Frank Ntilikina is just 19 years old, the second-youngest player in the NBA this season. However, he’s been playing well beyond this years through his first few games in the league and has matured fairly quickly, as teammate Courtney Lee points out.

“He got in, he was running the pick-and-roll, he wasn’t afraid to try to make a play or try to take the big shot. It’s just confidence,” Lee said per ESPN’s Ian Begley. “He already had the physical gifts, being 6-5, 6-6, with long arms and the foot quickness and it’s him just learning the terminology and learning where to be at. You knew that was gonna take time, but he’s matured fast.”

Ntilikina has been as good as advertised on the defensive end. With the help of his massive wingspan of nearly seven feet, he’s currently second in the league with 2.0 steals per game.

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Granted, his offensive game is still a major work in progress, but it is encouraging that he has shown the confidence to take on the challenge of running the team. His work on both ends of the court has been a significant factor in the Knicks' promising 8-6 start.

As Ntilikina continues to mature at a much faster pace than expected, there could yet be more to come from the rookie Frenchman this season.