Knicks Draft Pick Jack Cale Eyeing NBA Opportunities
LAS VEGAS — Jack Cale, the Knicks’ draft selection from Germany, voiced his aspirations on Saturday, emphasizing he doesn’t want to be sidelined overseas.
“Playing in the NBA is my aim,” the 20-year-old point guard expressed after his debut in the Summer League, which ended in a 70-49 defeat against the Spurs. “That’s the reason I entered the draft.”
Cale, picked 39th overall last month, faced some delays in joining the Knicks due to reports of a contract disagreement with his team in Berlin. While he kept details about the contract dispute close to the chest—stating, “There were things going on that I didn’t want to be a part of”—his eagerness to stay with the Knicks is apparent.
“It’s not my decision so I’m just trying to present myself in the best possible way and that’s the reality,” he noted. He also added, “I’m really glad to have been selected in the draft. We’ll see where things go in the next few days and weeks.”
If Cale joins the NBA next season, he might be a contender for a two-way contract and could explore development opportunities in the G League.
Though he displayed some playmaking abilities during Saturday’s game, the Knicks’ offense struggled, much like their previous loss to the Nets.
Cale, who sat out the earlier game, scored 12 points, grabbed five rebounds, and provided three assists in 21 minutes on a 5-of-14 shooting performance.
He emerged as one of New York’s only offensive threats, alongside rookie Tyler Nickel. Meanwhile, Mohamed Diawara had a tough outing, finishing without any points.
Reflecting on the differences between the German league and the NBA, Cale remarked, “It’s hard to say [what the differences are]; it’s just one game.” He added, “It still feels like basketball to me. You just have to play it the right way. The opponents might be different, and the pace is distinct, but I’m adaptable to different systems, so it wasn’t overly challenging for me.”
Knicks summer league coach TJ Saint echoed Cale’s sentiments, stating, “I was impressed with him. I started watching him on film after the draft. I believed he had the ability to penetrate defenses and showed a quick burst.”
