UNC in the NBA: Knicks make a decision on Isaiah Hicks

The New York Knicks have made a very important decision regarding former UNC player Isaiah Hicks.

After going undrafted in the 2017 NBA Draft, former University of North Carolina standout Isaiah Hicks is still trying to find his way in the league.

Hicks participated in the NBA Summer League in 2017 and spent almost all of his year in the NBA G-League with the Westchester Knicks. The forward was called up to the New York Knicks, in which he appeared in 18 games averaging 4.4 points, 2.3 rebounds and 13 minutes.

With the Knicks still in the middle of a rebuild, Hicks had a chance to show what he could do for the organization. Now as we are in the off-season, the Knicks have made a decision on Hicks’ future.

According to RealGM’s Keith Smith, the Knicks have tendered qualifying offers to Hicks and Luke Kornet.

Both players signed two-way contracts with the organization and will now become restricted free agents. The Knicks can match any offer they will receive in free agency, keeping them on the roster.

The news is good for Hicks as it means the Knicks obviously like what they saw from the forward last season.

If Hicks does receive a deal from another team, it’s likely the Knicks will match it. He could stay in New York and be assigned to Westchester again before making his return to the NBA at some point in the 2018-19 season.

The 23-year-old Hicks has been working out with teammates Trey Burke, Frank Ntilikina and Troy Williams as seen by this photo posted on Twitter. He’s built a bond with the young players and he could become a key piece for the Knicks this upcoming season.

With NBA free agency beginning soon, we could learn the fate of Hicks within the next few weeks.

Next: Tony Bradley to play with Utah Jazz in Summer League

Make sure you check back with Keeping It Heel for the latest on Hicks and other UNC players in the NBA.