For weeks, the Knicks were the loneliest roster in the league: twelve players under contract, a couple of rumors, and a row of empty chairs. Training camp allows 21 bodies, and New York looked unprepared to fill their quota.
Ye of little faith. That changed yesterday when, in one furious paperwork spree, the front office rounded out the squad. Eleven players got inked, two were cut before their names were finalized, and the team reached its camp capacity.
The top-line additions are straightforward:
Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet bring veteran guard depth, while Alex Len adds size and a Mike Brown connection. Nothing says “roster balance” like carrying five centers, and it is sensible when one of those big men is injury-prone (cough-Mitch-cough).
The developmental tier features Tosan Evbuomwan, Mohamed Diawara, Kevin McCullar Jr., Trey Jemison III, Matt Ryan, and Garrison Mathews. Some of them will land two-way deals, others will end up in Westchester, but now every spot comes with real competition. Here are a few guys hoping to turn heads in camp.
Tosan Evbuomwan
A 6’8″ forward from Newcastle, England, Evbuomwan switched from football (the other kind) to basketball at 14. He starred at Princeton, where he scored 1,033 points, earned 2022 Ivy League Player of the Year award, and led a 2023 NCAA upset over Arizona. Undrafted, he played in Detroit’s system, had a coffee with Memphis in 2024, then signed with Brooklyn in 2025, averaging 9.5 points in 28 NBA games with a high of 22 against Utah. He stood out in the G League with outings like 39 points vs. Grand Rapids.
Mohamed Diawara
The 6’9″ Paris native rose through INSEP and Paris Basketball, earning 2022 Basketball Without Borders MVP and medals with France (U17 bronze, U20 gold). After loans to Poitiers and Cholet, he averaged 5.8 points and 3.1 rebounds in France’s top league, showcasing a 7’4″ wingspan and defensive versatility. Drafted 51st in 2025, he projects as a high-upside, switchable forward.
Kevin McCullar Jr.
At 6’7″, McCullar overcame injury at Texas Tech before transferring to Kansas, where he led the Big 12 in scoring as a senior (18.3 PPG) and finished 11th all-time in steals. A three-time Naismith DPOY semifinalist, he went 56th in 2024 and signed a two-way contract with New York. For the club, the sophomore could be a defensive stopper with connective offense if he has overcome his knee issues.
Trey Jemison III
The 6’10” center from Alabama transferred from Clemson to UAB, where he led Conference USA in rebounding. Undrafted in 2022, he bounced through Memphis, Washington, New Orleans, and the Lakers, flashing rebounding and rim protection with G League highs like an 18-board game vs. Osceola. He’s valued for his grit in the paint.
Matt Ryan
A 6’7″ sharpshooter and former Mr. New York Basketball, Ryan bounced from Notre Dame and Vanderbilt to a breakout year at Chattanooga. Undrafted in 2020, he worked delivery jobs before cracking the NBA with the Lakers, Timberwolves, and Pistons. Selected first overall in the 2024 G-League Draft by Westchester, he rejoined the Knicks twice in 2025. A career 37.5% three-point shooter, Ryan provides floor spacing.
Garrison Mathews
The 6’4″ Lipscomb legend (2,478 points) turned a handsome college career into NBA stints with Washington, Houston, Boston, and Atlanta, shooting 37% from deep across five seasons of limited action. A classic microwave scorer.
Alex Len
The 7’0″ Ukrainian center, drafted fifth in 2013, has logged 12 NBA seasons with Phoenix, Atlanta, Sacramento, Toronto, Washington, and the Lakers, averaging 6.7 points and 5.3 boards over 680 games. He played under Mike Brown in Sacramento, earning late-season minutes behind Sabonis. He joins the Knicks on an Exhibit 9 deal, potentially adding size and veteran depth to a crowded frontcourt.
Who ya like? Did you notice the trend of big men, too? One odd man out seems to be OAKAAKUYOAK Dennis Smith, Jr. He worked out for the team earlier this week but failed to stick, evidently.
Thus, after a long period of roster limbo, the Knicks now have a packed gym and some real contests on their hands. Bring on the gladiators!
Go Knicks.
