The New York Knicks have begun to prioritize the NBA Draft as a method of identifying talent. This approach allowed New York to select players like RJ Barrett, Kristaps Porzingis and the second round stealing Mitchell Robinson.
While nothing is set in stone, it appears that the new regime will continue the tradition of looking for rough diamonds.
The 2020 NBA Draft will be featured by players such as LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman. All three players decided not to participate in powerhouse programs, with Ball deciding to play professionally abroad.
According to Adam Zagoria of ZagsBlog.com, the Knicks are one of the 22 teams that have recently interviewed another player who has opted for the traditional path: Jay Scrubb.
Scrubb may not be a household name, but there is a growing belief in NBA circles that it should be near the top of the big boards. He is currently ranked as the 1st JUCO recruiter in the country, according to 247sports.com. He is a 6’6 “and 220 lb shooting guard who previously committed to playing for the Louisville Cardinals, but has since entered the 2020 NBA Draft.
As for how he would fit with the Knicks, Scrubb is designed to be the type of wing that could provide depth or even start for an NBA team.
Scrubb is an impressive athlete who uses his first quick step to get past the defenders and end up on the edge or draw a contact. He ended the 2019-20 JUCO season with an average of 20.2 points and 8.9 rebounds per game on a .549 / .464 / .791 cut line.
There are areas where Scrubb will require fundamental polishing, but at age 19 it could be a project worth investing in.