Ex-New York Knicks 1st-Round Pick Signs With New Team

Frank Ntilikina has signed with a new team.

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Frank Ntilikina of France holds up a team jersey after being introduced as the number eight overall pick to the New York Knicks in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Frank Ntilikina is coming off a year where he appeared in five games for the Charlotte Hornets.

He finished the season with averages of 1.0 points and 1.2 rebounds per contest.

On Thursday, TeleSport.rs reported that Ntilikina is signing with KK Partizan (h/t Alberto De Roa of HoopsHype).

Via TeleSport.rs: "🚨BREAKING: According to our sources, Frank Ntilikina will be the new addition to Partizan! 💥

The French point guard has signed a two-year contract with the Belgrade team, returning to Europe after seven years in the NBA. ⚫⚪"

🚨BREAKING: According to our sources, Frank Ntilikina will be the new addition to Partizan! 💥

The French point guard has signed a two-year contract with the Belgrade team, returning to Europe after seven years in the NBA. ⚫⚪

More details on our site and app. 👀 pic.twitter.com/5FO5Zvw3aa

— TeleSport.rs (@TelesportRS) June 20, 2024

The team also confirmed the news.

Frank Entilikina je novi košarkaš crno-belih!✊🏽⚫️⚪️

🔗 https://t.co/MXqqPn4Cbc#KKPartizan @EuroLeague pic.twitter.com/OPagAxtoFE

— KK Partizan Mozzart Bet (@PartizanBC) June 20, 2024

Ntilikina was initially the eighth pick in the 2017 NBA Draft by the New York Knicks.

He spent the first four seasons of his career with the franchise.

Over that span, Ntilikina averaged 5.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists per contest while shooting 36.6% from the field and 32.8% from the three-point range in 211 regular season games (55 starts).

May 16, 2021; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) celebrates with New York Knicks guard Frank Ntilikina (11) after their game against the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Following New York, he spent two seasons with Dallas.

Over seven years in the NBA, Ntilikina has career averages of 4.8 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.2 assists per contest while shooting 36.9% from the field and 32.0% from the three-point range in 321 regular season games.

He has also appeared in 15 NBA playoff games.

At just 25, Ntilikina is still young enough that could he return to the NBA at some point in the near future.

👀🔨 Frank Ntilikina RACK ATTACK! #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/AAOCkOkOv0

— NBA (@NBA) December 30, 2018

As for the Hornets, they are coming off a year where they were the 13th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 21-61 record.

They last made the NBA playoffs in 2016.