The New York Knicks unveiled an energetic and diverse roster as they opened their 2025 NBA Summer League campaign tonight in Las Vegas, facing off against the Detroit Pistons at Cox Pavilion. The team features a blend of returning second-year talents and new rookie prospects, all under the leadership of Summer League coach Jordan Brink.
The squad includes returning players from last year’s rookie class—Pacôme Dadiét, Kevin McCullar Jr., Tyler Kolek, and Ariel Hukporti—each aiming to build on their debut-season experiences. New additions this year include Dink Pate, James Nnaji, and Mohamed Diawara, drafted in the second round and eager to make an immediate impression. Rounding out the roster are promising talents like Anton Watson, MarJon Beauchamp, and Yudai Baba from the G League, offering depth and versatility.
Assistant coach Jordan Brink—recognized for his systematic developmental style—is steering the squad with emphasis on speed and decision-making. He’s echoing Head Coach Mike Brown’s philosophy, which stresses playing fast but not rushed, and making quick decisions in offensive movement. Brink summarized: “Fast is really decision-making, playing with a ‘.5 mentality.’ … If we get the ball up the floor quick and don’t have anything, we’re to the next action.”
In their first test, the Knicks struggled to translate practice-grounded tempo into game flow. They committed 16 turnovers, shot just 40% from the field and a dismal 22% from beyond the arc. Second-year guard Tyler Kolek put up 10 points but also had five turnovers, reflecting the squad’s difficulty weaving Brown’s vision into play.
Highlights included Ronald Holland II leading all scorers with 28 and several visually impressive plays: Dadiet’s thunderous dunk, Hukporti’s put-back jam, and explosive slams from Detroit’s bench. Brink noted the team needed to translate their practiced speed into real-game execution—particularly speeding decisions within offensive sets, not just fast pushoffs.
Tyler Kolek’s second-year leap is in focus, after showing glimpses of potential improvement during the offseason. Pacôme Dadiét, known for athleticism and scoring upside, will be tested against tougher competition. Ariel Hukporti is returning from a knee injury, and the German-Togolese center (7‑0, 246 lb) is expected to showcase his rim protection and rim-runner potential. Kevin McCullar Jr., after showing scoring consistency in his rookie G-League stint, aims to add a scoring punch again.
James Nnaji, a 7-foot Nigerian center with a 7‑7 wingspan, seeks to demonstrate his European-developed defensive and rebounding tools in a Knicks uniform. Mohamed Diawara, known for his athleticism and rare 7‑4 wingspan at age 20, looks to prove his worth despite possible overseas development plans.
The Knicks have scheduled additional Summer League games in Las Vegas: against the Boston Celtics on July 13, the Brooklyn Nets on July 15, and the Indiana Pacers on July 17. Each contest offers further chances for the roster—particularly two-way contract hopefuls—to cement roles or push for a roster spot.
Summer League isn’t primarily about raw wins—it’s a developmental proving ground. Still, strong performances here can translate to real opportunities: building conditioning, instilling coaching philosophies, and providing front office insight into who sticks on the main roster, earns two-way deals, or gets a G‑League assignment.
The Knicks will aim to translate offseason practice into polished in-game execution—fewer turnovers, better shot-making, and embracing Brown’s regimen of fast decision-making. Players like Kolek, Hukporti, and Nnaji can carve maps to their future with each passing game.
