Westchester Knicks’ 2019-20 Season Recap

The NBA G League season may be five months long, but so much happened in that stretch. Not only did players make progressions in their development, but the call-up trend continued when Kenny Wooten signed a two-way contract with the New York Knicks. The Westchester Knicks went 17-24 and 17 players suited up in the Dub Knicks’ blue and orange.

Westchester was supposed to start their sixth season at the Westchester County Center, but an issue with the court moved their season opener to Madison Square Garden. The County Center found a solution to their issue and rented an unused college basketball tournament surface, which the team used temporarily.

The Knicks picked up their first win of the season on the road in their second game against the Greensboro Swarm, which turned out to be their first of four wins against the Swarm. The highlight of that game was Andrew White III, who recorded 39 points (fifth most in franchise history) and drained nine threes, which is the second most in franchise history. Not only was it Westchester’s first victory of the season, but Derrick Alston’s first win as head coach.

After picking up a win in Greensboro, the Knicks suffered five straight losses. With a young team, Westchester was still developing chemistry. After going 2-7 in November, the team went 6-4 in December and 7-4 in January. During that 13-8 stretch, the Knicks put together two three-game winning streaks.

The Knicks went 2-0 at the Winter Showcase, which marked the first time the team went undefeated at the event. The team's final win of the season came on February 26 against Greensboro where Ignas Brazdeikis finished with 34 points, six rebounds, five assists, and connected on six threes made.

It was a season of records. Numerous players etched their name in the franchise’s record book. Kenny Wooten tied Jordan Bachynski’s record for most blocks (eight) in a game. Lamar Peters drained 10 triples against the Windy City Bulls. Peters also dished the most assists (19) in a game.

Kenny Wooten made SportsCenter’s Top 10 twice. This first time came in December with a block on Sheldon Mac and the second time was when he pinned Xavier Munford’s layup against the backboard in January.

Two Knicks were assigned to Westchester during the season. Ignas Brazdeikis spent a portion of his rookie season in Westchester on assignment, while Reggie Bullock practiced with the team in December.

During the season, several New York Knicks showed up at the Westchester County Center to support the Westchester. In December, Marcus Morris and Bobby Portis were in the building, while Damyean Dotson took in action at the County Center as well. Knicks interim head coach Mike Miller, former team President Steve Mills, Knicks General Manager Scott Perry and basketball operations consultant David Blatt were all spotted court side in Westchester.

Former Westchester Knicks head coach Mike Miller was promoted to New York’s staff as an assistant coach for the 2019-20 season and then was named interim head coach on December 6, 2019. Keith Bogans, who started out the season as an assistant coach for Westchester, was promoted to New York’s staff for the same position on the same day.

Week Recaps: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15

External links

Coaches Circle: Lisa C. Willis Discusses Being First Female Coach In New York Knicks’ History, How Assistant Coaches Program Helped Her Make Transition To Coaching, And More
Westchester Knicks That Could Earn NBA Call-Up
Knicks’ Second Unit Has Played Important Role In Westchester
Westchester Flashback: Xavier Rathan-Mayes Details Reaction To NBA Promotion, The Moment He Checked Into First Game
With March Madness Season Nearing, Westchester Knicks Discuss Most Memorable Collegiate Moment

Notable Records

Nov. 13: Andrew White III records 39 points (tied with Billy Garrett for fifth most points in a game)
Nov. 20: Kenny Wooten tied franchise record for blocks in a game (eight) with Jordan Bachynski
Jan. 4: Lamar Peters drains most three-pointers (10) in a game
Feb. 26: Lamar Peters dishes most assists (19) in a game
Feb. 20: Ivan Rabb records franchise record 18th double-double
Mar. 5: Zak Irvin becomes franchise’s all-time rebounder (554)
Mar. 6: Ivan Rabb grabs franchise record rebounds (24) in a game; only player with multiple 20-plus rebound games in a season
Mar. 9: Kadeem Allen becomes all-time franchise assist leader (388)