The New York Knicks are a team with NBA Finals aspirations, and it's why they decided to fire head coach Tom Thibodeau over the offseason to help them get over the hump. Additionally, they could've pursued Giannis Antetokounmpo heavily at the trade deadline, but stayed put with their current roster.

Given they went toe-to-toe with the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals last season, it wouldn't be a surprise to see them get over the hump this year. If they are going to do so, it'll be a total team effort, and players stepping up that aren't normally stars. One of those players could end up being their rookie forward.

The 51st overall pick from the 2025 NBA Draft, Mohamed Diawara, has played far more than anyone could've expected this season for the Knicks. A team with plenty of guard depth and a lack of forward depth, Diawara flashed during the team's 130-125 win on December 29th, scoring 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting.

On Sunday, he stepped up again, scoring 10 points on a perfect 4-of-4 shooting, helping lead the Knicks to a win over the Boston Celtics. He won't be cracking the starting lineup with the talent in front of him, but could be an X-Factor for the Knicks going forward in case injuries or foul troubles push him into a bigger role.

After the game, star point guard Jalen Brunson spoke highly of the rookie's performance and what he's seen in him since before the season got underway.

"Playing pickup before preseason, I could see he was really good and really smart and talented. So, I'm not surprised of what he's been able to do when given the opportunity. He's really coachable; he listens...He's great. He's been working really hard. This is only the beginning for him," Brunson said.

Diawara didn't play in college, spending the 2024-25 season with French club Cholet Basket. Averaging just 5.8 points and 3.1 rebounds across 27 games, his numbers didn't jump off the table, but scouts were enamored by his physical traits and potential to be a player like OG Anunoby or Bilal Coulibaly.

Anunoby was far more polished coming out of Indiana, but he didn't start looking like the player he is today until his fourth season in the league. Now, he's one of the best two-way wings in the league, and Diawara could be in that conversation in a few years.

For the time being, he'll see minutes here and there, and his name will surely be called upon more throughout the season and even into the postseason.