Immanuel Quickley's family toasted with sparkling cider after he was picked in the first round of the NBA draft
He was the first point guard in his recruiting class that Kentucky coach John Calipari targeted, a McDonald’s All-American and a USA Basketball veteran. Yet during his freshman season at Kentucky, Immanuel Quickley had plenty of struggles. Even his sophomore year, he was not a starter when the season began. However, Quickley never lost his belief in his game or Calipari’s guidance. He became UK’s leading scorer (16.3 points per game) and 3-point shooter (42 percent) last season and was named Southeastern Conference Player of the Year.
He was not projected as a first-round pick in the 2020 NBA draft but Quickley still decided to leave UK. His limited pre-draft workouts impressed NBA personnel and Quickley was the 25th pick in the first round of last week’s draft to become an instant millionaire.
He believes the path he took at UK without immediate success was an advantage, not a problem
“I think that’s a culture shock or an experience shock for some people. They’ve had success all their life. When they get to college, it’s easy, and they get to the NBA, and it’s hard a little bit. They’re not able to deal with adversity,” Quickley said. “I feel like for me I was able to do that and get through that in Kentucky, so I feel like I can accomplish anything that comes my way.”
Oklahoma City picked Quickley but then traded the Maryland native to the New York Knicks, a team much closer to his large family that always supports him. He had 40 family members take a bus to Atlanta to watch him play in the McDonald’s All-American Game.
“Everybody was celebrating, not only for myself, I was happy to be a Knick, my family was happy. It was close to home for me. And obviously the connection with the guys in New York, (assistant) coach Kenny Payne, all those guys. I’m just really grateful for this opportunity,” Quickley said.
Payne left Calipari’s staff recently to join the New York staff. Quickley said it was “unbelievable” to be back with a ache who pushed him to improve daily the last two years.
“He’s one of those guys that’s going to hold you accountable, make sure you almost try to quit at practice, so the games become easy. It’s really great to reunite with him for me on and off the floor,” Quickley said.
The new New York Knick also values advice Calipari gave him to prepare him for this next step in his life.
“It was more just stay true to who I am, which is keeping God first. My grind, I feel like he said I was one of the hardest working players he’s ever had. Then also, just being a great person off the floor. Those three things have really propelled me and gave me confidence on and off the floor,” Quickley said.
“I feel like that’s how I was able to lead and be a leader on last year’s team, just putting the work in, and my teammates and coaches believed in me.”
Quickley played with first-round picks Tyler Herro, Keldon Johnson and P.J. Washington his freshman season. Last year he was in the backcourt with Tyrese Maxey, the 21st pick in this year’s draft.
The Knicks have two young point guards in Dennis smith and Frank Ntilikina, but Quickley is not worried about how he’ll fit in with his new team.
“I think first it starts off as a person. They’re trying to build an organization where I guess the character side is just as good as the player side,” Quickley said. “As far as my play, I feel like I fit in great. I can play on or off the ball.
“I feel like I bring shooting immediately. That’s something that I worked on, and just being able to be a great teammate as well. Trying to learn from older guys, the vets. Just come in and be that open-minded person that’s willing to learn, willing to get better each and every day.”
