When the New York Knicks selected Frank Ntilikina at No. 8 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, the general response was skepticism. Ntilikina was an undeniably intriguing prospect, but he was also an enigma in that American crowds’ exposure to his game was limited to YouTube videos.
Over the course of his rookie season, however, Ntilikina has routinely silenced his critics and earned praise from those in high places.
Ntilikina’s progress was measured on Thursday, Dec. 21 when the Knicks hosted the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden. Matched up against All-Star point guard Kyrie Irving, Ntilikina held his own on both ends of the floor.