Maurice Ndour

Jonah Ballow

NEW YORK – New York Knickerbockers President Phil Jackson announced today that the team has signed forward Maurice Ndour. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Ndour, 6-9, 200-pounds, spent this past season playing for Spanish Cup champion Real Madrid (Spain), averaging 2.1 points and 1.6 rebounds over 9.1 minutes in 18 games. He appeared in five games for New York’s Summer League entry in Las Vegas, NV last summer, averaging 9.6 points and 4.8 rebounds. He then signed with the Dallas Mavericks on July 23, 2015, and appeared in four preseason games before being waived on Oct. 26, 2015. The Sindia, Senegal-native, appeared in 66 games (61 starts) over two seasons at Ohio University, posting 14.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.82 blocks, while being named to the All-MAC Second team in both his junior and senior seasons. Undrafted by an NBA franchise in 2015, Ndour played for Senegal’s 2015 national team. He played high school basketball in Japan.

knicks-sign-maurice-ndour

Knicks Sign Maurice Ndour

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Summer League Top 5 Plays: Porzingis' Jam, Ndour's Swat, Grant's Dime and More!

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Charlie Widdoes

Today's Matchup: New York Knicks vs. Golden State Warriors

The Knicks enter the tournament phase of Summer League with a 3-0 record and a real chance to go all the way if they continue to play like they have. The first test comes this afternoon against the Golden State.

The NBA champs' entry advanced to this stage with a convincing win over Sacramento on Wednesday, led by 20 points and nine rebounds from big man James Michael McAdoo. The Knicks face a stiff test against the Warriors' front line, which also includes first-round pick Kevon Looney, but should be up for the challenge after slowing Jahlil Okafor in Tuesday's win over Philadelphia.

After conceding too many points in the paint during the first half, Kristaps Porzingis made an adjustment to deny Okafor's post position and wound up blocking the former Duke big man's shot three times to help secure the victory. Porzingis also showed his offensive versatility, exploiting his size advantage on the perimeter and dishing out some dimes in the Triangle. He's flanked by Maurice Ndour, the undrafted big man from Ohio who started at power forward and exploded for 23 points, including 15 in the 4th quarter to help force overtime.

New York's guards have been steady all week, but Langston Galloway and Jerian Grant will have to account for Aaron Craft, the two-time former Big 10 defensive player of the year at Ohio State. 

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Preview: Knicks Begin Tournament Action vs. GSW

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1-on-1 with Maurice Ndour

Another day, another impressive win for the Knicks in Summer League. Despite a 24-11 deficit at the end of the 1st quarter, Derek Fisher's group made the necessary adjustments and battled back to topple Jahlil Okafor and the Sixers, 84-81, to remain undefeated (3-0) in an overtime thriller at Thomas and Mack Center.

It was billed as a showdown between Okafor and Kristaps Porzingis (picked 3rd and 4th in the Draft, respectively), and both showed flashes of brilliance. Okafor posted and toasted, finishing with 18 points, but it was Porzingis' defense down the stretch that helped turn the tide for New York; Porzingis began to front Okafor in the post, and held the former Blue Devil to just five points in the second half.

Porzingis made some big plays in the 4th quarter and overtime -- including two free throws with 6.9 second in regulation and a slick assist to start overtime -- and his three blocked shots were crucial to keeping Philly's offense at bay. But the hero in this one was not a highly-touted lottery pick -- it was undrafted Maurice Ndour who provided the spark for the Knicks. The former Ohio Bobcat exploded for 15 of his team-high 23 points in the 4th quarter and would not be denied on the glass (six boards). 

After Porzingis' free throws gave the Knicks a three-point lead, Scottie Wilbekin drew a foul in the final seconds and sunk all three free throws to send the game to overtime. In the extra frame, it was Porzingis' final block on Okafor under the hoop that led to a Cleanthony Early backdoor cut and two-handed slam that sealed the victory.

Early (13 points) and Jerian Grant (12) also scored in double figures. We'll find out the Knicks' tournament schedule later tonight. 

Maurice Ndour

Knicks Sign Maurice Ndour

Summer League Top 5 Plays: Porzingis' Jam, Ndour's Swat, Grant's Dime and More!

Preview: Knicks Begin Tournament Action vs. GSW

1-on-1 with Maurice Ndour

NYK 84, PHI 81: Knicks Stay Undefeated With OT Victory