Former Bobcat Maurice Ndour has piqued the interest of the New York Knicks and other NBA teams thanks to his play in the NBA summer league.
Once considered a long shot to make it to the NBA, former Ohio basketball forward Maurice Ndour might soon be apartment shopping in Manhattan.
Ndour has piqued the interest of the New York Knicks’ and multiple other NBA teams after recording 23 points and six rebounds against the Philadelphia 76ers on July 14, according to multiple New York media outlets including ESPN’s Ian Begley.
“I hope I’ll be back with the Knicks, but then again right now I think it’s about situations,” Ndour told ESPN. “It’s about what’s best for yourself. But I like the Knicks, I like the players, playing with them in the summer league was really great. I hope to see them again.”
In a draft class filled with big names like Jahlil Oakfor, D’Angelo Russell and Karl Anthony-Towns, Ndour has been considered an NBA summer league standout after averaging close to 10 points and five rebounds per game. He's played five games for New York this summer.
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According to ESPN, the Knicks have 11 players signed to guaranteed contracts, so they could sign Ndour to their roster — if they invite him to the team’s training camp.
"He showed ability to shoot fairly well and defend, block shots, rebound. He represented himself well,” Knicks head coach Derek Fisher told the New York Post. “We may not be able to keep him. Our roster’s filling up pretty fast.”
Regardless of his destination, Ndour has made a sudden impact in the NBA. After working out with the Utah Jazz, Memphis Grizzlies and Boston Celtics early in the offseason, most predicted Ndour to head overseas to play in Europe along with former Bobcat D.J. Cooper. The Knicks also expected him to travel abroad when they invited him to play on their summer league team in Las Vegas.
In prior interviews with The Post, Ohio men’s basketball coach Saul Phillips said Ndour would most likely have to learn to play the “three," or small forward position, because of his length and body type.
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But during the past month, Ndour became a mismatch at the power forward position in part to his shooting ability and usage of off-ball screens — a play style that has boosted his potential of playing for an NBA team.
“It was just a blessing. When you talk about opportunity, that was a great opportunity for me, it was great timing,” said Ndour in his interview with ESPN. “I was glad that I was able to play for the Knicks in the summer. And I think I maximized everything I could do on the floor.”
Stick with The Post to stay updated on Ndour's chances of landing with an NBA team.
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