Immanuel Quickley with teammate Julius Randle. (New York Knicks Photo)
It’s still hard to believe that in a two-year period Immanuel Quickley went from not starting at the end of his freshman season at Kentucky to Southeastern Conference Player of the Year after his sophomore season to NBA all-rookie second team this week.
Many were surprised when the New York Knicks made Quickley a first-round draft pick with the 25th choice but he had a terrific season to help the Knicks make the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
Quickley became a fan favorite with his energy and playmaking.
While former UK player Julius Randle was the marquee player for the Knicks, Quickley was instrumental in the team’s success. He averaged 11.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game while shooting 38.9 percent from 3-point range. He was seventh among rookies in scoring and was deadly at the foul line just like he was at Kentucky as he led all rookies at the line by making 89.1 percent of his shots.
Quickley never got a chance to play in the NCAA Tournament after his sophomore season because of COVID. But he was a star with 62 3-pointers while shooting 43 percent from long range. He was in double figures in all but four games in UK’s 25-6 season.
Quickley also is special off the court. He recently got his mother and grandmother new Range Rovers for Mother’s Day and gave one to his aunt on her birthday.
