Like most international prospects, Frank Ntilikina is an unknown to most stateside basketball fans. But just because the 18-year-old point guard is a mystery doesn't mean he can't emerge as one of the Draft's best guards.
Born in Belgium to Rwandan parents, Ntikilina spent the majority of his life in France, and ended up playing the last two seasons for his hometown of Strasburg in the LNB Pro A, a top tier French professional basketball league. In a league known for not giving younger players much playing time, Ntilikina saw the court for over 18 minutes per game in the 2016-17 season, where he averaged 10.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per 36 minutes.
Even with only modest success in the professional ranks, Ntilikina has risen to lottery pick status due to his performance in international competitions. At the 2016 FIBA Europe Under-18 Championship, the point guard earned Most Valuable Player honors by averaging 15.2 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.2 steals per game, while shooting over 58% from beyond the arc for the championship winning French Junior team. His performance in the championship game -- 31 points, 7-for-10 from three -- put him squarely in the top 10 pick conversation.
At 6'5", Ntilikina has the physical tools to be an NBA-caliber point guard. He uses his frame and length well on the defensive end, and if he continues to add muscle, he can become a lock-down defender capable of guarding three positions.
Offensively, Ntilikina is a true pass-first point guard, possessing great unselfishness and the ability to find the open man. He's quick and smooth on the court, excelling as a pick-and-roll ball handler. with the capacity to nail the outside jumper. During the U18 championships, he showcased his shooting touch, going 17-for-29 from three, and 12-for-13 from the line.
The central area Ntilikina needs to improve in his game is his physicality, as opponents seem to post him up and back him down with ease. He also shies away from contact near the rim, making it difficult to finish when he gets in the paint. Unless he changes his overall passive play, Ntilikina may never evolve into a dominant floor general, and he'll need to be paired with another shot creating playmaker to maximize his abilities.
Many mock drafts have the Frenchman going to either the New York Knicks, Dallas Mavericks, or Sacramento Kings with picks 8-10. All three teams are in desperate need of a playmaking point guard, making Ntikilina a sensible pick. Of the three, Dallas seems to be the best fit, as they have a capable perimeter shooter in Wesley Matthews and a burgeoning lead-scorer in Harrison Barnes, but need a steady hand to run the offense for them.