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New York Knicks: Jeff Hornacek Praises Maurice Ndour

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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2015 Summer League standout and 2016 free agency acquisition Maurice Ndour has impressed New York Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek at training camp.

Maurice Ndour was the star of the 2015 New York Knicks Summer League team. His energy and athleticism made him a fan favorite, and his combination of shooting range and defensive proficiency turned him into a hot commodity around the NBA.

After splitting his time between the NBA and Spain in 2015-16, Ndour is looking to make yet another splash with the Knicks in 2016-17.

The Knicks weren’t expected to sign Ndour during the summer of 2016, but Phil Jackson pulled the trigger. He inked Ndour to a fully guaranteed two-year deal worth $1,448,720.

According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, Hornacek has liked what he’s seen from the 24-year-old forward.

Hornacek loves to run the pick and roll, and Ndour has the physical gifts to excel as the dive man.

Ndour is a hybrid forward who last measured at 6’8″ without shoes and 200 pounds with a 7’4″ wingspan and a 9’1″ standing reach. 2015 weight aside, those are exceptional physical gifts for either a small forward or a contemporary 4.

For those unfamiliar with his game, Ndour fits the bill of a modern 4: 3-and-D with a splash of explosiveness.

That defensive potential was on full display during the Olympic qualifiers.

The explosiveness was just as obvious.

There’s obvious value in those two traits. The fact that he can shoot is icing on the proverbial cake.

Ndour made 27 3-point field goals on 43.5 percent shooting from beyond the arc in 30 games during his final season of college ball with the Ohio Bobcats. That followed the 18 3-point field goals he made on 33.3 percent shooting from distance the season prior.

Ndour also averaged 2.4 offensive rebounds and 2.3 blocks per 40 minutes during his 66 games of collegiate experience.

Ndour has an abundance of untapped potential. Hornacek could be the perfect coach to tap into it.

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