The legend of World Wide Wes is one more Knicks connection for TyTy Washington

Kentucky level guard TyTy Washington is aware of the legend of “World Large Wes’’ and at last bought to expertise it.

On Monday in Tarrytown, the Knicks hosted a heady group of prospects with three anticipated lottery picks amongst them. As a prelude to the exercise, Knicks senior government William Wesley took them out to a Westchester restaurant to observe the NBA Finals on Sunday evening.

“Wes was in there ordering actually all the things,’’ Washington mentioned. “He ordered all the things, just about. Made us all style it.’’

Wesley entertained Washington, G League Ignite level guard Dyson Daniels and Ohio State capturing guard Malaki Branham, together with three different prospects projected as second-round picks.

Wesley is the Knicks’ mover, shaker and schmoozer – his declare to fame earlier than becoming a member of the Knicks was getting gamers for CAA agent Leon Rose, now the Knicks president. Wesley grew to become embedded within the Kentucky program and is shut associates with coach John Calipari.

The Rose-Wesley tandem led to the franchise incomes nicknames final season because the “Kentucky Knicks” and “Orange and Bluegrass.” These Kentucky roots and Washington being a real level guard is why there’s a typical feeling he could possibly be the Knicks alternative at No. 11 on June 23 on the 2022 NBA Draft. Nonetheless, the Knicks by no means interviewed Washington at Chicago’s mix.  

“I’ve recognized him and recognized about him,’’ Washington mentioned. “That’s World Large Wes, so lots of people at my faculty speak about him. 

“I bought  an opportunity to hold round him after I first landed. It was actual cool catching up with him. He advised me he is aware of considered one of my coaches actual nicely (Ron Coleman), and I can see the similarities in them. Their power match.’’

Wesley made certain the Knicks drafted Immanuel Quickley out of Kentucky within the first spherical of the 2020 NBA Draft. Washington and Quickley have additionally texted a bunch with Quickley giving him the blueprint of a Knicks exercise. 

In 2020-21, the Knicks had 4 Kentucky gamers on their roster and former Wildcats assistant Kenny Payne. However Kevin Knox was traded and Payne moved on to be the top coach at Louisville. They nonetheless have Julius Randle, Nerlens Noel and Quickley. And Obi Toppin’s brother, Jacob, presently performs for Kentucky.

”I noticed Obi,’’ Washington mentioned. “Lots of people on social media are saying, me and Jacob Toppin are Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley 2.0. It was cool seeing Obi, seeing my teammate’s brother.

“When Kenny Payne was right here, simply seeing all of the Kentucky guys over there, me and my teammates within the locker room was like, that’s Kentucky 2.0 up there. So, it’s actually good to see plenty of guys who had been beneath Cal all find yourself on the identical crew.’’