GREENBURGH, N.Y. — Whether or not LeBron James and the Miami Heat win the NBA championship, they figure to be a major stumbling block for the Knicks over the next several years in the Eastern Conference.
With that in mind, the organization is looking at defensive-minded wings who can help contain stars like James and Dwyane Wade.
One such wing, 6-foot-8 1/2, 230-pound Chris Singleton of Florida State worked out Thursday for the Knicks, along with point guards Iman Shumpert of Georgia Tech and Charles Jenkins of Hofstra.
The Knicks pick at No. 17 in the June 23 NBA Draft, and DraftExpress.com projects Singleton going at No. 19 to the Charlotte Bobcats.
“It depends on which team drafts me — I could be a scorer, but if a team needs me to just rebound and hustle and defend, I’ll do that,” Singleton said. “I feel I can bring defense off the bat, and my offense will get better. ”
Singleton played one season at FSU with current Knicks guard Toney Douglas and said they caught up before the workout.
“I would love to play with anybody,” he said. “It was a dream come true, just a chance to be in this position. If you get picked by the Knicks, you get picked by the Knicks.”
Last summer Singleton excelled under Villanova coach Jay Wright with the College Select team against a Team USA squad that featured studs like Kevin Durant and Lamar Odom. Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni got an up-close look as an assistant with Team USA.
“We practiced and scrimmaged against the best team in the world and Chris was one of the best defenders we had,” Wright said by text. “He guarded Kevin Durant and Andre Iguodala and also scored with incredible range.”
Singleton averaged 13.1 points and 6.8 rebounds last season with the Seminoles, but suffered a broken leg in February that sidelined him for six games.
“I had surgery Feb. 14,” he said. “It took me about five weeks. I came back for the NCAA Tournament.”
He had 16 points and nine rebounds in his last collegiate game, a loss to eventual Final Four outfit VCU.
“I’m completely recovered,” said Singleton, who has worked out for the Charlotte Bobcats, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors and has five workouts remaining.
He conceded that he didn’t have his “best workout” with the Knicks, but said he’d love to play for them.
“If you do good, the city’s behind you,” he said. “I know that and I will just put it all on the court, wherever I go.”
RELATED CONTENT
**Hofstra’s Jenkins wants NBA paycheck to provide for niece
(Photo courtesy Getty Images)
