Immanuel Quickley found his way into the first-round of the 2020 Draft, being drafted No. 25 overall to the Oklahoma City Thunder. The pick was immediately traded to the New York Knicks, where Quickley will reunite with Kenny Payne and former Wildcats Kevin Knox and Julius Randle.
After returning for a second year in Lexington, Quickley worked his way into winning a SEC Player of the Year trophy while having his name blasted all across NBA Draft boards. While he wasn't projected to go into the first-round, he worked his way into it with the 25th pick.
It seems odd because Tyrese Maxey fell so late into the draft, while Quickley went a lot higher than expected, but it is what it is.
Immanuel Quickley averaged 16.1 PPG, 4.2 RPG and 1.9 APG during last season, which was a huge jump from a 5.2 PPG, 1.8 RPG and 1.2 APG freshman year. He repeated the 'PJ Washiongton' route as we'll continue to say over the next few years. Sometimes it takes more than a season at Kentucky to reach your dreams, but it never fails that they do end up making it, and having a hell of a last season in Lexington doing so.
Congrats to Immanuel Quickley and his family as they chase their dreams in the big city. From the college basketball mecca, to the mecca of all basketball.