(Photo: Elsa / Getty Images)
(Photo: Elsa / Getty Images)
Former Kentucky guard star Immanuel Quickley continues to prove it is undoubtedly the theft of the 2020 NBA Draft.
After an inconsistent start to the season, the New York Knicks rookie managed to score points in six of the team’s last nine games, including 31 points against Portland on January 24 and 25 points last night against Cleveland.
With the continued production and growth of the 1.8m guard, CBS Sports took Quickley to No. 3 overall in the NBA Rookie Power Rankings, just behind James Wiseman in No. 1 and Anthony Edwards in No. 2.
Here’s what they had to say about the ex-Wildcat:
Quickley has become the newcomer’s darling this season, and for good reason. His floater was once considered the deadliest in the game and he is one of the best pick-and-roll scorers in the league. Last week, he became only the second rookie this season to score 30 points in one game (former Kentucky teammate Tyrese Maxey is the other).
What is most impressive about Quickley’s performance, however, is that he did it off the bench. He is consistently proving his worth in the young Knicks squad, and if he stays on this track, it will make it difficult for coach Tom Thibodeau not to put him on the starting lineup.
“We saw from the first day that he came here, the way he approached things,” said Thibodeau after Quickley’s 25-point performance on Friday night. “He is a student of the game, a great worker, a great attitude, a great approach. And the ups and downs of an NBA season, I think he prepares very well and his confidence comes from his preparation.
“He has a lot of concentration, a lot of effort every day. And he can play well even when he doesn’t shoot well. He obviously has a lot of confidence in that shot and in his overall game. And he is one of those guys who will continue to get better and better with every game. Very pleased with his progress. “
When asked about his remarkable performance, in which he dropped five points out of 3, Quickley said he credits his hard work and dedication to improving each day.
“Hard work, dedication and loyalty to the process, which is improving every day, good and bad games,” said Quickley. “You want to continue to find a way to improve each day.”
“It was a team effort. That’s what we insist on. We try to be one of the best defensive teams in the league.” – Immanuel Quickley
?: @MSGNetworks pic.twitter.com/FpZ48XlFe6
– NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 30, 2021
Check out the latest highlights from the old Wildcat below:
Keep it up, IQ.