While the New York Knicks (particularly RJ Barrett) have struggled in Summer League thus far, there have been several bright spots. One of those standouts is a big who catches lobs and blocks shots at a high level. No, I’m not talking about Mitchell Robinson…
I’m referring to Kenny Wooten, the 6’8 forward out of Oregon who went undrafted. Though he’s played just 15 minutes per game and has averaged just 2.5 points per game, Wooten has impressed on the defensive side of the ball.
With 4.5 rebounds per game and two blocks per game in those limited minutes, Wooten has been an incredibly active rim protector, swatting shots left and right. This backs up what we saw from him in the NCAA Tournament when he averaged three blocks per game.Â
Each year in Summer League, teams find a breakout player who was previously under-the-radar. Wooten may be that this year for the Knicks. While he has an extremely raw offensive game, his defensive skills are already solid, and he has plenty of room to grow, on both sides.Â
Is it possible for Kenny Wooten to earn a spot on the New York Knicks?
Since the Knicks have just one roster spot remaining (and it may be filled by Marcus Morris), Wooten likely can’t earn a spot on the team. However, New York would be well-served to send him down to Westchester, where he could learn under the tutelage of Mike Miller, who is known for developing projects.
Wooten is just the latest in terms of players Scott Perry and Steve Mills have pulled off the scrap heap, so to speak. Guys like Kadeem Allen, Allonzo Trier, and to some extent Mitchell Robinson and Iggy Brazdeikis, were all overlooked by other teams. Here’s hoping that trend will continue.