Nate Wolters has always stood out wherever he has been, but the gifted guard’s journey through St. Cloud, Minn., and Brookings, S.D., left him under-recruited, underexposed and under the radar.
Now, after four mostly unseen seasons at South Dakota State, Wolters could be transplanted to the middle of Manhattan, as a candidate the Knicks could consider selecting with the 24th overall pick — or if they acquire a second-round selection — in next Thursday’s NBA Draft.
Working out with the Knicks yesterday at the team’s practice facility, the 6-foot-4 guard already allowed himself to imagine such a scenario.
“I really like the city and it’d be a dream come true to play in the Garden,” Wolters said. “It’s one of the best arenas in all of basketball. I’ve never been there, but it’d be cool to play here 41 games a year.
“Definitely, this would be a great fit. I know Jason Kidd just retired and they got Raymond Felton at point guard, but that seems like a need of theirs. I definitely feel I can add to it and hopefully I have the opportunity.”
With Kidd now coaching the Nets and uncertainty surrounding the return of Pablo Prigioni, the Knicks need a backup for Felton.
Wolters, who led the Jackrabbits to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and was fourth in the nation averaging 22.3 points — along with 5.8 assists and 5.6 rebounds last season — will almost certainly be available at No. 24 and is projected to be taken late in the first round or in the second round.
Wolters cited his skill in pick and rolls, playmaking and his ability to spread the floor as reasons he would be a perfect fit with the Knicks, while noting how a transition from a star to a supporting role would allow him to do what he thinks he does best.
“I think I’m more of a facilitator than a scorer, really,” Wolters said. “Just out of necessity it was for me to score in college, so I had to put up a lot of shots, but I think my natural position is just a passing point guard who makes players around me better.”
Wolters has great vision and an improved 3-point shot — which jumped from 24.1 percent to 37.9 percent from his junior to senior year — but his lack of athleticism and defensive deficiencies are the biggest reasons he could be headed to the second round.
Wolters contends his defense is overlooked and underrated, a situation he’s far too familiar with. He also knows it doesn’t have to stay that way.
“I think I showed that in the season a little bit when we played the top guys, like Trey Burke [of Michigan], I was able to keep him in front,” said Wolters, who helped limit the National Player of the Year to six points on 2-of-12 shooting in the NCAA Tournament. “That’s something I’ll continue to work on. Defense is more just an effort thing and toughness, so I’m going to bring that.”