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Kristaps Porzingis and Jahlil Okafor may have been the ultimate draw as the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers squared off in the second game of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. But, it was Ohio's own Maurice Ndour who stole the show, posting an incredible stat line of 23 points and six rebounds in New York's 84-81 overtime win.
The former Bobcat forward shot 10-15 from the floor in 28 minutes played. He posted a +/- rating of +13, the best on the team. He was the focus of the game in the fourth quarter and the Knicks' commentators (Mike Breen and Clyde Frazier) were praising his play. He even started trending on Twitter after the game.
Ndour signed with the Knicks as an undrafted free agent, with the idea that playing well would earn him a contract in Europe. The Knicks are encouraging him to look at playing in Europe, but after his first two Summer League games, a spot on the active NBA roster might not be that out of the question.
The highlight of Ndour's night was stuffing the number three overall pick Okafor on the defensive end after the former Duke big man started posting him up. On the next possession, Ndour faced up Okafor one-on-one on the block, and nailed a step-back 15-footer right over right over Okafor's outstretched arm.
While it can be said that, yes, it's just Summer League, it's a huge opportunity for Ndour to impress not just the Knicks but those around the NBA. Multiple GMs and scouts attend Summer League games and try to find diamonds in the rough. The Knicks should seriously consider him for an invite to training camp, and he's certainly earned it with his play.
Ndour finished with a team-high 23 pts, 5 boards. Hard to imagine him not making Knicks' training camp roster, and perhaps more than that.
— Chris Herring (@HerringWSJ) July 14, 2015
Also, his former teammates at Ohio were watching:
Whole Squad Tuned in to big bro @TooHotFiDem Summer League Game! Currently Has 25 Pts! #BobcatFamily Keep Eating Bro pic.twitter.com/aKCs3yRjyX
— Jaaron Simmons (@J3_Simmons) July 14, 2015
The Knicks play once again Thursday in the Summer League playoffs, where they will be one of the top 8 seeds as they were undefeated in Summer League play.