Knicks Rookies Receive High Praise from Analyst

The New York Knicks have one of the more promising rookie classes.
Dec 23, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek (13) controls the ball against Toronto Raptors guard Ja'Kobe Walter (14) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Dec 23, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek (13) controls the ball against Toronto Raptors guard Ja'Kobe Walter (14) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images
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The New York Knicks haven't played their rookie class a lot this season, and that's no surprise considering Tom Thibodeau is the coach for the team.

However, the Knicks have shown that their rookie class could eventually have some promise, as evidenced by second-round point guard Tyler Kolek.

Bleacher Report writer Grant Hughes praised Kolek for being the most visible Knicks rookie in the first half of the season.

"It's hard to factor this directly into a grade, but we can at least agree that Tyler Kolek's doubleheader was pretty cool," Hughes writes."The New York Knicks rookie point guard shone during a 36-point, 11-assist double-double on Jan. 1 against the Indiana Mad Ants. Just a few hours later, he suited up for the Knicks, who were missing Jalen Brunson and Deuce McBride, scoring two points, handing out four assists and logging 12 minutes in a 119-103 win over the Jazz."

"Kolek's 24 appearances are the most of any Knicks rookie, and he's putting up 24.5 points and 8.7 assists per game in Westchester," he continued.

Despite Kolek's heroics, he isn't the rookie that Hughes gets excited about the most on the Knicks. That title goes to first-round small forward Pacome Dadiet.

"That said, 19-year-old wing Pacome Dadiet remains the most promising prospect from a first-year crop that also includes big man Ariel Hukporti," Hughes writes. "Dadiet is raw but might already be able to offer the Knicks 10 minutes per game behind Mikal Bridges, Josh Hart and OG Anunoby."

The Knicks will give Dadiet and Kolek a chance to be in the rotation for the long haul at some point, but that time will likely come when next season rolls along.

The Knicks are back in action tonight as they take on the Brooklyn Nets. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several Fan Nation websites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener has been with Fan Nation since 2021. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid. He moved to Orlando in 2016 to go to college and pursue a degree. He hosts "The Dream Take" podcast covering the Rockets, which has produced over 350 episodes since March 2020. Brener graduated in May 2020 from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. While at UCF, Brener worked for the school's newspaper NSM.today and "Hitting the Field," a student-run sports talk show and network. He was the executive producer for "Hitting the Field" from 2019-20. During his professional career, Brener has covered a number of major sporting events including the Pro Bowl, March Madness and several NBA and NFL games. As a fan, Brener has been to the 2005 World Series, 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 NCAA National Championship between the Villanova Wildcats and North Carolina Tar Heels. Now, Brener still resides in the Central Florida area and enjoys writing, watching TV, hanging out with friends and going to the gym. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener. For more inquiries, please email jeremybrenerchs@gmail.com.