Manny Obaseki
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Manny Obaseki during his time with Texas A&M in March 2025
Last week, the New York Knicks quietly added a familiar name to their development pipeline, continuing their habit of scanning the G League for overlooked upside.
The Westchester Knicks signed former four-star prospect Manny Obaseki via the available player pool on a Hardship Exception after the Oklahoma City Blue released him.
It was a move that largely flew under the radar, but one that fits New York’s low-risk, information-gathering approach to roster building.
Rather than committing long-term resources, the Knicks brought in a versatile young forward to evaluate in a controlled environment, allowing him to play through mistakes while seeing how his tools translate within their system.
New York Knicks Get Early Look at Obaseki’s Upside
Obaseki, 23, was immediately inserted into the Westchester rotation and has appeared in three games since joining the team.
During a back-to-back set against the Stockton Kings last Friday and Saturday, the 6-foot-4 forward saw limited action.
He went scoreless in seven minutes in his debut while contributing two rebounds, one assist and one block, then followed that with four points, three rebounds, one steal and one block in 14 minutes the next night.
It was his third appearance, however, that offered a clearer glimpse of why the Knicks took the chance.
In a 123-111 loss to the Greensboro Swarm, Obaseki logged 23 minutes and finished with 12 points, four rebounds and three assists.
His efficiency was uneven as he shot 4-of-12 from the field, an adjustment curve common for young players adapting to the pace and freedom of the G League.
Still, he showed flashes on both ends, knocking down two three-pointers, attacking downhill in transition, and making his presence felt defensively.
Obaseki recorded four blocks in the contest, highlighted by an athletic chase-down rejection in the second-quarter that showed the physical tools that once made him a highly-coveted recruit.
G League Production Hints at Broader Skill Set
Earlier this season with the Oklahoma City Blue, Obaseki’s numbers reflected a player whose impact often grew with opportunity.
Across 16 games, including six starts, he averaged 7.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in just over 21 minutes per game. When his role expanded, so did his production.
During an eight-game stretch in which he started six times, Obaseki logged nearly 32 minutes per contest, and responded with averages of 11.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
That stretch culminated in a career-best outing on December 22, when he posted 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals against the Long Island Nets.
Those performances painted a more complete picture, as Obaseki showed the ability to contribute across the box score, defend multiple positions and make plays in space. That combination often earns extended looks at the developmental level.
“Obaseki makes the type of highlight-reel plays that would immediately change the momentum of a game,” wrote Brandon Jenkins, a recruiting analyst for 247Sports. “His elite athleticism is the foundation for his tremendous upside as an offensive threat and lockdown defender.”
That athletic profile followed him into college, where he arrived at Texas A&M as a highly-regarded addition after starring at John Paul II High School.
While his collegiate numbers were modest, averaging 5.5 points and 1.5 rebounds per game, he made 127 appearances and carved out a role as a dependable rotation piece.
“Manny Obaseki isn’t considered a blue-chip NBA prospect but still possesses the skillset to make it to the next level,” wrote Texas A&M reporter Cameron Ohnysty. “If he can develop a reliable jump shot and sharpen his defensive skills, he has a legitimate chance to earn a 10-day contract in the coming seasons.”
Obaseki entered the 2025 NBA Draft but went undrafted, leading to his stints in Oklahoma City and now Westchester.
Whether his time with the Knicks becomes a brief evaluation or something more substantial remains uncertain. What is clear is that New York continues to believe that defined roles, consistent minutes and internal structure can unlock value others may overlook.