All Knicks

Knicks Have 'Strong Rookie Class'

The New York Knicks should be pleased with their rookies.

Jeremy Brener

Dec 1, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek (13) at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
Dec 1, 2024; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks guard Tyler Kolek (13) at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
In this story:

The New York Knicks have seen three of their four rookies suit up for action already this season.

While Kevin McCullar Jr. has been nursing an injury, fellow second-round picks Tyler Kolek and Ariel Hukporti, along with first-round prospect Pacome Dadiet have all seen action both in garbage time and in the G League with the Westchester Knicks.

Bleacher Report writer Grant Hughes graded every rookie class to date and gave the Knicks a "B" for their efforts.

"As is typically the case for teams coached by Tom Thibodeau, rookies are on garbage-time-only duty," Hughes writes.

"It's worth wondering what all three of these players might be able to accomplish on a team willing to go deeper into its bench, as each has had moments of either intriguing potential or legitimate production in limited doses. Kolek, for example, ranks right between the more highly heralded Reed Sheppard and Donovan Clingan in Box Plus/Minus.

"Going by the eye test, noting how Kolek and Dadiet can shred G League competition and pricing in Thibs' disdain for the bench, New York quietly has a strong rookie class."

For the Knicks, there will be a need coming up for players like Kolek, Dadiet and Hukporti as they try to find a way to build a contender.

In order to have a good team in the NBA, there has to be players that are on some kind of bargain, and that's exactly what the Knicks could have in these three rookies.

The Knicks need this trio to simply continue their development without any need to worry or panic as a potential playoff contender. Tom Thibodeau knows which buttons to press at the right time, and the Knicks have trust that he will bring these rookies along as he sees fit.

Make sure you bookmark Knicks on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

Published
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.

Home/News