Andre Drummond’s return to New York has earned praise from two coaches who know him well, both of whom believe he’ll make an immediate impact with the Knicks.
The veteran center, who signed a one-year veteran minimum contract this offseason, spent part of his childhood in Mount Vernon before moving to Connecticut.
Former UConn head coach Jim Calhoun believes Drummond is an ideal addition to New York’s roster.
“The game can do so many things for you,” Calhoun told The New York Post, “but the one thing it didn’t do with him: it never spoiled him. And I think he becomes a great addition to the Knicks, who don’t need any disruption.
“They got it going, and obviously, they have a great leader and the coaching has obviously been very good. He’s a nice piece basketball-wise. He’s also a really nice piece teammate-wise, which doesn’t disrupt your team.”
Drummond’s former high school coach, Jere Quinn, also believes the veteran big man can help replace Mitchell Robinson’s production, particularly on the boards.
“He has a nose for the ball,” Quinn said of Drummond’s rebounding.
“He has a knack for it. … It’s such a needed skill on every team because as everybody puts teams together, everybody still wants to find that one guy who can do that. And, as I said, he does it better than most.”
Andre Drummond’s college coach likes his fit with the Knicks: https://t.co/7uJxy8rujk
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) August 1, 2026
