Depending on how the board falls, North Carolina big man Henri Veesaar could be available when New York is on the clock on draft night next week. Should the Knicks consider him with their 24th or 31st selection?
The Basics
- School: North Carolina (transferred from Arizona)
- Position: Center
- Height: 7’0″
- Weight: 227 lbs
- Age: 22
- 2025-26 Stats: 17.0 PPG, 8.7 RPG, 2.1 APG, 60.8% FG, 42.6% 3PT, 61.5% FT
- Projected Draft Range: Late first to early second round
The Numbers
Veesaar turned himself into a legitimate NBA Draft prospect after transferring from Arizona to North Carolina. He started all 31 games for the Tar Heels, averaged 17 points and 8.7 rebounds, and earned second-team All-ACC honors.
The most interesting numbers in Veesaar’s sheet are linked to
his shooting. Veesaar made 42.6% of his 94 three-point attempts, showing real catch-and-shoot touch for a 7-footer. He hit spot-up threes, trailer threes, and pick-and-pop looks, giving scouts the stuff of their dreams heading into the NBA in what looks like a smooth transition to the pro game.
Veesaar was also extremely efficient near the rim, converting more than 75% of his half-court attempts at the basket. He added 2.1 assists per game against 1.7 turnovers, showing enough passing feel to operate as more than a standstill stretch big.
That mix of shooting, touch, passing, and size explains why ESPN’s mock draft has Veesaar going to New York with the No. 24 overall pick as a late first-round selection.
What Does He Do Well?
- Floor Spacing: Veesaar’s jumper is his cleanest NBA skill. He shot 42.6% from three at North Carolina and looked comfortable on catch-and-shoot attempts, especially above the break and in pick-and-pop situations. For a 7-footer, that kind of shooting would do wonders for spacing his team’s offense.
- Pick-And-Roll Versatility: He can roll, pop, slip screens, and make quick reads after catching the ball. Veesaar already understands timing and angles, which helps him find soft spots in the defense instead of relying only on power.
- Touch Around the Rim: Veesaar is not an explosive athlete, but he has soft hands and comes with reliable finishing. He can do it all in the paint from hooks, layups, floaters, and quick catches around the basket, but not so much flashy dunking.
- Passing Feel: Veesaar showed strong high-low chemistry with phenom Caleb Wilson at UNC and made smart reads from the short roll, post, and perimeter. He is not a hub-style creator, but he can move the ball quickly and punish rotations.
- Rebounding: At 227 pounds, he is not built like a traditional bruiser, but he averaged 8.7 rebounds and showed solid fundamentals on the defensive glass. He reads the ball well and uses his reach effectively.
What Are the Concerns?
- Strength and Physicality: This is the biggest negative factor to considering using a pick, let alone if the Knicks move one of their selections, on Veesaar. He needs to add 15 to 20 pounds without losing mobility, which is never guaranteed to happen smoothly. Right now, stronger NBA centers could move him off spots, seal him deep, or knock him off balance on rolls and post touches.
- Defensive Translation: Veesaar is not an elite rim protector. He blocked 1.2 shots per game, but his impact comes more from length and positioning than verticality in the paint. NBA teams may question whether he can anchor a defense.
- Ball-Screen Defense: He struggled at times when switching onto guards and was not always active enough in drop coverage. He can play too upright, which creates problems against quicker ball-handlers.
- Free Throw Shooting: His three-point shooting was excellent, but the 61.5% free-throw mark is a small concern. It does not erase the jumper, but it does make the shooting projection slightly less automatic. And it’s not that the Knicks haven’t already had their fair share of Mitch’s issues there…
The Knicks Fit
The Knicks enter the 2026 NBA Draft with picks No. 24, No. 31, and No. 55. Veesaar makes sense if New York wants a frontcourt piece who can give the second unit a different offensive look than the one built around Mitchell Robinson.
In fact, Veesaar is the total opposite to Mitch: not a vertical lob threat or solid defensive anchor. Veesaar is closer to the other side of the Robinson archetype: a skilled stretch big who can space the floor, pass from the middle, finish with touch, and keep offensive possessions moving.
That matters for a team built around Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, however, as Veesaar could function as a backup center who keeps the floor open, gives guards room to attack, and allows the Knicks to run more five-out or pick-and-pop actions with the bench.
The concern is whether New York can live with the defensive questions. Would Mike Brown trust a young big who cannot hold up physically, communicate in coverage, or survive playoff matchups? Veesaar would need strength development and probably would not be a finished product as a rookie.
Still, if the Knicks believe their strength staff can add functional weight to his frame, the offensive upside is obvious. Skilled 7-footers who shoot, pass, and finish efficiently are not easy to find late in the first round.
NBA Comparison
- Best-Case Comparison: Kelly Olynyk (Skilled stretch big who shoots, passes, plays from the elbows, and survives despite his subpar defense)
- Median Outcome: Mike Musical (Foor-spacing backup big whose shooting and offensive feel keep him useful, but whose defense limits his role)
- Low-End Outcome: Frank Kaminsky (A skilled college big whose shooting, touch, and passing flashes at times, but whose defense and strength cap his NBA career and end up cutting it short)
The Verdict
Think about it at 24. If a higher-upside wing or guard is still available, the Knicks may be better off prioritizing athleticism, defense, or shot creation. Veesaar’s defensive questions are real, and the Knicks should not ignore them if they want a plug-and-play prospect to bolster next year’s rotation.
Draft him at 31. Veesaar is worth serious consideration if he reaches the Knicks’ second selection, especially if New York wants a cost-controlled stretch big with real offensive skill. The value here is obvious, and the Knicks should pounce, as Veesaar is the next-bext 7-footer in the whole draft after lottery-bound Aday Mara. Veesaar has the size, shooting, passing and touch to appeal a pro franchise, and is coming off a productive high-major season. He may never become a defensive anchor, but he could develop into a useful rotation center who gives New York a different kind of frontcourt option.
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Go Knicks!
