Brad Penner, USA TODAY SPORTS

Immanuel Quickley Praises Jalen Brunson Mentorship

Originally posted on New York Knicks on SI
By Jonah Morgan | Last updated Dec 13, 2023 6:39 PM ET

Immanuel Quickley has played a key role in the New York Knicks' recent success.

The fourth-year reserve point guard credited his mentors and his mentality for his progress on an episode of the web series "Point Forward" hosted by retired NBA veterans Andre Iguodala and Evan Turner. He had special words for Jalen Brunson, crediting his fellow backcourt dweller for guiding him to the best numbers of his career to date.

"Jalen’s been a lot of help for me, especially on the court," Quickley said in an interview recorded over the summer. "(He's) somebody I can watch, as far as footwork and things like that, the way he scores... just being able to get his shot off, I try to watch for things like that."

One look at Quickley's box scores hints at Brunson's impact: Quickley averaged 11.4 points over his first two seasons before Brunson joined the Knicks on a four-year, $104 million contract in 2022. In their two years of collaborating, Quickley has averaged 15 a game and placed second in last season's Sixth Man of the Year vote.

In his fourth year as a Knick and likely destined for a big contract as he prepares to hit the free agency front for the first time, Quickley sold himself as a player who has learned to handle criticism well and perhaps to embrace it.

"I don’t really see it as pressure, but as opportunity," Quickley said. "Even the best players, like Steph Curry, get criticized. You’re going to get criticized... (you) just continue to try to get better every single day, I think that’s why our team has been good. We have a lot of individual guys that love being in the gym, that love working."

Quickley did not play in the Knicks' most recent contest, a 136-130 victory over Toronto on Monday, due to knee inflammation. He's listed as questionable for Wednesday's game in Utah (9 p.m. ET, MSG).

This article first appeared on New York Knicks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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