Analyzing the Westchester Knicks’ Training Camp Roster

This season’s 16-man training camp for the Westchester Knicks is rather talented. The team’s roster features three two-way players, which includes Isaiah Hicks, Allonzo Trier and Trevon Bluiett from New Orleans. The Knicks have a good mix of affiliate, returning and tryout players that are vying for a roster spot.

Kadeem Allen

After being selected with the No. 53 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Allen started off his rookie season with the Maine Red Claws as part of his two-way deal. He was one of the more talented defensive guards in the NBA’s minor league and was named to the G League All-Defensive team. With a defensive minded coach in Mike Miller, Allen’s defensive skills will help Westchester become a top defense.

Devon Baulkman

Baulkman missed the first 18 games of the 2017-18 season due to a hip injury that nearly cost him his season, but was eased into Westchester’s line-up. As the season progressed, the Tennessee product was a solid on-ball defender and would use his defense to help spark offense for the team. Baulkman ended the season on a good note by tallying 9.4 points and 1.9 steals per game in the final 10 games.

Trevon Bluiett

Since the New Orleans Pelicans don’t have a G League affiliate for the 2018-19 season, the Pelicans are using the flex assignment rule and sent Trevon Bluiett to the Westchester Knicks. Bluiett became a lynchpin during his four years at Xavier and was an effective scorer during his collegiate career. The rookie guard had a career season as a senior where he averaged 19.3 points and finished as No. 2 on the program’s scoring list with 2,261 points.

Phil Carr

After averaging 13.3 points and 8.5 rebounds per game in three years at Morgan State, Phil Carr went undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft. Carr had a workout with the Washington Wizards, but didn’t participate in Summer League. He signed an Exhibit 10 deal with the New York Knicks and felt it was “an honor” to sign with the home town team.

Jeff Coby

Jeff Coby started his rookie season with CB Prat Juventud in Spain where he averaged 7.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Since then, Coby played with the Hatian National Team and had a workout with the New York Knicks. He impressed the Knicks’ staff, per Ian Begley of ESPN, and earned an Exhibit 10 deal with the team.

Spencer Collins

After spending four years at Wofford, Spencer Collins spent his first professional season with Batumi Rsu in Georgia . He had a productive season in Europe where he averaged 16.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in 34 games. Collins made the training camp roster through a team tryout.

Duje Dukan

After not being drafted in the 2015 NBA Draft, Duje Dukan has spent time in the NBA G League, overseas, and played in one game for the Sacramento Kings. Dukan had knee surgery in the preseason last year and returned in December. The 26-year-old forward brings an offensive versatility to the team and has shot 38.4 percent from deep in 76 games in the G League. The Westchester Knicks acquired Dukan in a three-team deal that saw Travis Trice’s returning rights dealt to the Wisconsin Herd.

Billy Garrett

After four years at DePaul, Billy Garrett spent his rookie season with the Westchester Knicks. Garrett’s role changed throughout the season due to his strong play and consistent development. With the roster shaking up throughout the season, he started to play more on the ball and excelled in his role. In the final 10 games, Garrett averaged 18.9 points, 3.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game. Billy Garrett will be an intriguing player to follow during the 2018-19 season.

Gyorgy Goloman

Gyorgy Goloman saw an increased role during his senior season where he posted career highs in points (7.1), rebounds (4.2), blocks (1.2), and minutes (24.4). “GG is playing as confident, he’s playing as strong (as ever), and he’s shooting the basketball at a high level,” Bruins head coach Steve Alford said. (h/t Thuc Nhi Nguyen of the Los Angeles Daily News). Goloman went undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft and has made the team’s training camp roster through a team tryout. Like Collins, Goloman could be the next tryout players to make the opening night roster.

Isaiah Hicks

Isaiah Hicks is in his second season with the New York Knicks under the two-way contract. He expanded on his offensive game last season where he was nailing jumpers and was putting the ball on the floor. Hicks was working on his perimeter game and started to drain threes towards the end of the season with Westchester and New York. He showed to be one of the top shot blockers in the G League last season. The Knicks are invested in his development and hope he can take the next step in his development in his second season as a two-way player.

John Jenkins

A former first round pick, John Jenkins was claimed off waivers by the Westchester Knicks during the 2016-17 season. Jenkins is known for his scoring prowess, which is what he showed in his first stint with the team. He scored 20 or more points in five of his first six games. Jenkins scored a then-franchise high 40 points. He spent last season with San Pablo Inmobiliaria Burgos in Spain. With the NBA experience and scoring ability John Jenkins has, he has a good chance at earning a call-up this season.

Tyrius Walker

After four years at Morehouse, Tyrius Walker joined the New York Knicks for Summer League. He only played in one preseason game before getting waived by New York. Walker signed an Exhibit 10 contract, which meant the Knicks had intentions to keep him in the organization with their G League affiliate. After he considered retiring four years ago, Tyrius Walker has a huge opportunity in front of him in the G League.

Paul Watson

Paul Watson is one of four returning players from last year’s squad. He saw his role grow throughout the season due to his defensive ability and energy to the team. His versatility gave Westchester to maintain a strong defense on the court with him playing both forward spots. Along with that, Watson showed he fits the mold of a “3&D” player where he drained 45.5 percent of his threes in February and 44.1 percent of his perimeter shots in December.

Sekou Wiggs

Sekou Wiggs joined the Westchester Knicks late in the season and made a good impression in the organization. Wiggs saw 20 minutes of action in his debut and head coach Mike Miller stated that he brought a different dimension to the team, while being an aggressive defender and fitting in offensively. When the roster saw changes towards the end of the 2017-18 season, Wiggs averaged 10.2 points and 4.6 rebounds in 25.2 minutes per game in the final month of the season.

Allonzo Trier

After going undrafted in the 2018 NBA Draft, Allonzo Trier looked impressive during the preseason and has received quality playing time in his rookie season. He is currently averaging 10.5 points in 21.1 minutes per game and has added scoring off the bench early in the season. David Fizdale feels that Trier won’t spend much time in Westchester. Trier’s 45 days on his two-way contract are being used and will likely see more action with New York. If Allonzo Trier continues to produce, it won’t be surprising to see his two-way contract converted to a standard contract and the Knicks fill in another player in that slot.

Stephen Zimmerman

After being acquired by the Capital City Go-Go in the 2018 NBA G League Expansion Draft, Stephen Zimmerman’s returning rights were traded to the Westchester Knicks in exchange for the returning rights of Chasson Randle. Zimmerman has shown flashes of his potential in his career. In 46 G League games, he has averaged 9.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. He’s likely to see quality playing time in Westchester and will see his game grow throughout the season.

Adam Woodbury

Adam Woodbury was acquired from the available player pool and played an important role for the Westchester Knicks last season. Woodbury’s value doesn’t come in the stat sheet. He prides himself on guarding ball screens, getting other bigs into foul trouble, and defensive rebounding. His hustle, willingness to go after loose balls, and getting second chance opportunities is what made him valuable to Westchester.

Buay Tuach

Buay Tuach didn’t see much action (7.7 minutes in 23 games) during his rookie season. The team was built off depth, especially at the guard position. In the final month of the season, Tuach saw more action on the court and had a chance to display his skills. His most notable performance was tallying 14 points and nine rebounds against the Erie BayHawks.