“With the 58th pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks select… Jericho Sims from the University of Texas”. Exactly a season after the Knicks suffered without Mitchell Robinson in the starting lineup due to a fractured foot, the Knicks made an important addition to their last line of defense in order to bolster front-court depth.

Jericho Sims has played phenomenal for the Knicks summer league team thus far. The 6’10” center possesses a 7’3” wingspan to go along with his 44.8” vertical which happens to be the same as Hamidou Diallo, current shooting guard for the Detroit Pistons. The former Texas Longhorn is athletic as they come for his size and he proved it by banging the side of his face on the rim during a dunk attempt not too long ago.

Jericho Sims has shown flashes of strength, composure, solid basketball IQ, and overall ferocious explosiveness at his position during the first couple games of summer league. If Sims keeps this same energy moving forward, the Knicks may rip up the two-way contract and sign him to a multi-year contract. However, the negotiations remain to be seen as the 2021 NBA Summer League continues.

Mitchell Robinson and Nerlens Noel are both phenomenal defensive anchors. If injury occurs to either one, Jericho Sims provides crucial insurance especially in the playoffs. During the Knicks first round defeat at the hands of Trae Young and the Atlanta Hawks, the New York Knicks missed their interior intimidator in Mitchell Robinson. Nerlens Noel and Taj Gibson contributed, however, it wasn’t enough going against Clint Capela down low on the block. Many felt the Knicks versus Hawks first round series would have been significantly different if the Knicks had their starting center or an extra body just as athletic and agile at that position. Foul trouble also won’t really be an issue anymore due to the anticipated addition of Jericho Sims to the main roster. If Jericho Sims play cools down, a two-way contract and transportation to the Westchester Knicks facility awaits him.

The former Texas Longhorn spent the last four seasons at the University of Texas playing under Head Coach Shaka Smart. Last season the rim running big man from Minneapolis, Minnesota played with a crowded front-court alongside high flying forward Kai Jones and Greg Brown.

There are some whispers going around stating Jericho Sims was a steal at the 58th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. The Knicks summer league center is making his presence down low against other opposing centers. Immanuel Quickley has developed a solid rapport with Jericho Sims due to lobs being thrown to the high flyer in pick and roll situations.

Jericho Sims Comparison to Orlando Magic Version Dwight Howard Has Officially Begun.

Overall, the feeling is mutual with plenty of Knick fans when it comes to Jericho Sims current comparison based on his limited summer league action so far. The Dwight Howard comparison has been used in describing Jericho Sims bruiser style of basketball in the post both defensively and offensively. That kind of comparison shouldn’t be taken lightly. Is Jericho Sims going to be the next Dwight Howard? Probably, and probably not, however, for the 22-year old to be mentioned when it comes to the Orlando Magic version Dwight Howard, there’s definitely a possibility of Sims winning NBA Defensive Player of the Year one day. However, Sims must continue soaking in all instructions from the Knicks rock solid player development coaching staff including former Kentucky Assistant Coach Kenny Payne.

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