Immanuel Quickley was in New York with family for the draft and definitely has found a home with the New York Knicks
Remember two years ago Immanuel Quickley averaged just about five points per game for Kentucky. The next season he was Southeastern Conference Player of the Year and the team’s leading scorer and best player.
Now he’s become not only a valuable contributor for the New York Knicks but is also a fan favorite.
The Knicks brought in another former John Calipari point guard, Derrick Rose, to mentor Quickley this season. That shows you how highly management thinks of Quickley’s future and what a smart move it was to draft him in the first round when most were expecting him to be a second-round pick.
“They’re different in that Immanuel was more of a shooting scorer. Both have great runners or floaters,” Calipari said. “Derrick wanted to pass first, at least when I got him. He passed first and then looked to score. Immanuel is more of a scorer who can pass. They are different in that way.
“But I’m gonna tell you both — you know there’s not one time I don’t text or talk to them and say ‘I love you coach’. (They) are great human beings. They’re great young men. Both are terrific people and teammates.”
Calipari recalled how Rose would never take a picture unless teammates were also included when he was at Memphis.
“Immanuel is the same way. All the good stuff he’s doing and how he’s playing, you listen, he’ll defer to his team. He’s an unbelievable teammate,” Calipari said.
Rivals. com recruiting analyst/writer Krysten Peek can say “I told you so” about Quickley because she was one of the few predicting he would be a first-round pick before the 2020 draft.
“Remember I talked to a couple of (NBA) scouts who said they would take Quickley over (Tyrese) Maxey. But they are both terrific,” Peek said. “I am just happy he is flourishing.
“Whatever he did in that off time he had to perfect that floater was great. I think it is the most deadly floater in the NBA next to Mike Conley. It’s unguardable even in the NBA. The transformation he has made from two years ago and the traction he’s getting now is just unreal. I am so happy for him because he is a great kid.”
