Like Killian Hayes or even Evan Fournier, we can say that Frank Ntilikina take advantage of the pre-season to remember the good memories of those who buried him a little too prematurely.
Announced for a time at ASVEL, but also at Partizan Belgrade or Red Star Belgrade, the Frenchman finally chose to sign this summer with the Hornets for a year, just before having to withdraw from the World Cup. Problem: his $2.5 million contract is only partially guaranteed ($200,000) and he must therefore fight to earn his place in North Carolina.
The good news is that Frank Ntilikina is showing good things so far with Charlotte in preseason and, after compiling 5 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals in 20 minutes against Washington, he accumulated 5 points and 6 assists in 23 minutes against OKC.
Minutes to take at a time
Above all, the former “French Prince” of the Knicks particularly impresses Steve Clifford with his defensive skills.
“ He is our best defender “, his coach simply announced, coming out of victory against the Thunder. “ His collective defense is very good. In individual pick-and-roll defense, I would dare say there aren’t many guys better than him in this league. He can defend on opposing main attackers and there aren’t many guys who can do that. You get that type of defense from him with also 6 assists and no turnovers, so he obviously helps us. »
Relaying LaMelo Ball, it is clear that Frank Ntilikina has a real shot to play with the Hornets with his versatile defender profile. It was also the situation of the team that pushed him to join Charlotte, as he explained to us at the beginning of August.
“ It happened in several stages », the 25-year-old leader told us about his recruitment process. “ I had done workouts in front of coaches during the summer league. And before too. I talked a lot with the front office [des Hornets] and the coach. This is also what motivated me to stay in the NBA, because I have the opportunity to have playing time [à Charlotte]. My motivation this summer was to find playing time. Whether that means the NBA or a return to Europe. »
| Frank Ntilikina | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | NYK | 78 | 22 | 36.4 | 31.8 | 72.1 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 2.3 | 3.2 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 5.9 |
| 2018-19 | NYK | 43 | 21 | 33.7 | 28.7 | 76.7 | 0.3 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 5.7 |
| 2019-20 | NYK | 57 | 21 | 39.3 | 32.1 | 86.4 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 2.1 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.3 | 6.3 |
| 2020-21 | NYK | 33 | 10 | 36.7 | 47.9 | 44.4 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 2.7 |
| 2021-22 | DAL | 58 | 12 | 39.9 | 34.2 | 96.0 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.1 | 4.1 |
| 2022-23 | DAL | 47 | 13 | 36.4 | 25.4 | 66.7 | 0.2 | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.2 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 2.9 |
| Total | 316 | 17 | 37.1 | 32.3 | 76.0 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 0.7 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 4.8 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
