NBA Draft: Here are 3 things to know about the Knicks' two selections
Tyler Nickel of Vanderbilt reacts in the second half against Arkansas during the 2026 SEC Men's Basketball Tournament championship game on March 15, 2026 in Nashville, Tenn. Credit: Getty Images/Johnnie Izquierdo
The Knicks made multiple trades throughout the two days of the 2026 NBA Draft. But when it was all said and done, they came away with two selections. Here are three things to know about the Knicks' picks.
Jack Kayil, Alba Berlin
1. The 6-5 (or 6-3 or 6-4, depending on where you research) guard committed to Gonzaga, but opted to test the draft waters and stayed in despite being unable to attend the NBA Draft Combine while still playing in Germany. “I wanted to play in the NBA and I had the opportunity and took it,” he said.
2. Kayil led his team to the German League title, earning honors as Bundesliga League’s best young player.
3. He played on the German U-19 team with first-round picks Hannes Steinbach and Christian Anderson that lost to Team USA in the World Cup final.
Tyler Nickel, Vanderbilt
1. He played his freshman year at the University of North Carolina for former Knick Hubert Davis, averaging just 2.1 points per game before entering the transfer portal and spending a season at Virginia Tech. He transferred again and started 69 straight games for Vanderbilt over the last two seasons.
2. The decision to join Vanderbilt came when the school hired Mark Byington, who had coached at James Madison University where both of his parents work. His father, Eric, played college basketball at SUNY Plattsburgh.
3. A 6-6 shooter with a quick release who hit 40% from three this season, Nickel is the all-time leading scorer in the Virginia High School League, named four straight years to the All-State team.
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
