Knicks draft pick Cleanthony Early said it’s “a blessing’’ he fell out of the first round, giving him a chance to work with team president Phil Jackson and possibly with Carmelo Anthony in what Early called “my city.’’
Jackson selected Early, the Bronx product who moved to upstate Middletown at age 14 and who was projected by some as a late first-rounder, with the No. 34 overall pick.
On a conference call Monday, Early realizes he likely was “overlooked’’ on draft night by some teams.
“It’s a blessing, honestly,’’ said Early, who led Wichita State to the Final Four in 2013 and took an unbeaten record into a classic NCAA Tournament Round of 32 showdown with Kentucky in March. “I can’t think of a better position. This is where I was born and raised.
“I feel I’m a good player. I feel like I have much room to improve to work to reach that goal. I’m more happy I got to play for my city. The attitude would’ve been there regardless, and it’s even more now. You fall a little bit. So you feel someone overlooked you or slept on you. It’s the ultimate blessing to wind up here.’’
Early, who said he’s heard comparisons to Kawhi Leonard — the Spurs’ young forward who just won NBA Finals MVP — did not work out for the Knicks before the draft. Jackson interviewed him at a hotel in Chicago during the pre-draft camp. The club had seen enough of his college career to envision a versatile, scoring combo forward, playing the same position as Anthony.
Though the two haven’t talked, Early said he would enjoy having Anthony as his mentor if Anthony re-signs with the Knicks. Anthony becomes a free agent at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday.
“Definitely [want to play with him], he’s a great player,’’ said Early, who will play for the Knicks summer league team beginning in two weeks in Las Vegas. “Just to be with somebody like that would be great learning experience and learning curve for me because he’s so good. The way I’d want to listen [to him], that would really, really help.’’
But even if Anthony leaves, Early said at least he has Jackson. Though he grew up in the Bronx, Early followed Jackson’s Michael Jordan-led Bulls teams closely at a young age.
“I’ll start by saying Phil Jackson is Phil Jackson,’’ Early said. “It was just awesome to get to meet him, to have them know who I am. It’s very special. Everything happens for a reason. He picked me for a reason. Whatever that reason is, he’s seen something. I feel I’ve seen it, too. I just got to continue to develop and get it out where it means to be. I’d rather not be anywhere else doing this. I honestly believe that.’’
After a career at Pine Bush High outside Middletown, Early first played at Sullivan Community College in upstate Loch Sheldrake before transferring to Wichita State. He helped put the Shockers back on the map. Recently, he said he has heard comparisons to a young Spurs forward.
“When it comes specifically, I’m hearing Kawhi recently,’’ Early said. “I just like to play basketball. And if I like a move somebody does, I’ll definitely try to put it in my game.’’
After a family tragedy in which his cousin was fatally shot in the Bronx, his mother, Sandra, moved the clan up to Middletown.
“I can’t have any regrets,’’ Early said. “Something my mom decided. It was her call. I completely backed her up. It was culture shock coming from the city going upstate. There’s different type of people everywhere. Certain adjustments had to be made. I did it. I loved it. No way I can regret anything.’’
Early, however, wasn’t walking around in a Knicks jersey as a kid.
“I started watching basketball at 4, 5 — Michael was still playing then and I was a big Michael fan and my mom was a big Knicks woman,’’ Early said. “She loved the Knicks. I had an interest in them, but it wasn’t my go-to team.’’
They are now.