The New York Knicks picked up Frank Ntilikina‘s fourth-year option before the season opener. The Knicks third year Frenchman will be due $6.3 million in his fourth year.
FIBA Frank was what everybody called the native Strasbourg point-guard due to his improved play during the international FIBA tournament this past offseason. Ntilikina spent his offseason improving his craft and took advantage of his opportunity to prove his worth by performing very well in a victory against Team USA during the FIBA Basketball World Cup Quarter-Finals. This is the game that stood out over the summer as Ntilikina gave Kemba Walker fits with full-court defensive pressure. The 21-year-old Knick guard scored 11-points on 5/9-shooting from the field and added 3-assists along with a +22 plus/minus rating during the France 89-79 victory over team USA. The next game against Argentina, Ntilikina scored his FIBA tournament-high of 16-points on 7/12-shooting from the field along with 2-assists. The young Knick guard looked like he was beginning to turn the corner with his FIBA play. His confidence began to build and it started carrying over into how he played against fierce competition.
Knicks coach David Fizdale ended up stealing some offensive sets ran by French coach Vincent Collet. The French coach was even invited to training camp to help with Ntilikina’s growth. According to Fizdale and others, Ntilikina had a solid training camp as he battled for the starting point-guard position. It’s obvious that there’s an investment the Knicks have in Ntilikina and they’re patiently grooming the young guard for future success.