(Photo by Elsa / Getty Images)
(Photo by Elsa / Getty Images)
Former Kentucky star guard Immanuel Quickley continues to prove he is undoubtedly stealing the 2020 NBA Draft.
After an inconsistent start to the season, the New York Knicks rookie has had double point totals in six of the team’s last nine games, including 31 points against Portland on January 24 and 25 points against Cleveland last night.
With the continued production and growth of the 6-foot-3 guard, CBS Sports Quickley has moved up to number 3 in the outlet’s NBA Rookie Power Rankings, behind only James Wiseman at number 1 and Anthony Edwards at number 2.
Here’s what they had to say about the former Wildcat:
Quickley has become the darling of the rookie class this season, and with good reason. His floater has already been heralded as the deadliest in the game, and he’s one of the best pick and roll scorers in the league. Last week, he became just the second rookie this season to have 30 points in a game (former Kentucky teammate Tyrese Maxey is the other).
What’s even more impressive about Quickley’s performance, however, is that he did it from the bench. He consistently proves his worth on this young Knicks roster, and if he continues on this track, he will make it difficult for coach Tom Thibodeau not to put him in the starting line-up.
“We saw it right from the first day he got here, the way he approached things,” Thibodeau said after Quickley’s 25-point performance Friday night. “He’s 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’s preparing really well and his confidence comes from his preparation.
“He has great concentration, a lot of effort every day. And he can play well even if he doesn’t shoot well. He clearly has a lot of faith in that shot and his all-round game. And he’s one of those guys who’s going to get better with every game. So very happy with his progress. “
When asked about his outstanding performance, one in which he shot down five three-pointers, Quickley said he values his hard work and dedication to improving every day.
“Hard work, dedication and staying true to the process, which gets better every day, good games, bad games,” said Quickley. “You want to continue to find a way to get better every day.”
“It was a team effort. We play on that. We try to be one of the better defensive teams in the league.” – Immanuel Quickley
?: @MSGNetworks pic.twitter.com/FpZ48XlFe6
– NEW YORK KNICKS (@nyknicks) January 30, 2021
Check out the most recent highlights from the former Wildcat below:
Keep it up, IQ.