The New York Knicks were founded in 1946 and are one of the first few NBA franchises. They are based in New York City and host their opponents at Madison Square Garden. James Dolan is the owner of the Knicks and the franchise is a major contender in the Eastern Conference .
Greats like Patrick Ewing, Walt Frazier, and Willis Reed have graced the court in New York, dropping clutch performances in the world’s most famous arena. From the title runs of the early 1970s to modern superstars like Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks heroes have written golden chapters in basketball history. Here is the list of the top 10 New York Knicks players of all time.
10) Harry Gallatin
Gallatin played nine seasons for the Knicks (1948-1957), averaging 13.0 points and 11.9 rebounds. Despite standing just 6’6″, he led the NBA in rebounding in 1954 (15.3 RPG). Gallatin made seven consecutive All-Star appearances and was named to the All-NBA First Team in 1954. He set an NBA record by playing in 610 consecutive games. Though he never won a championship, Gallatin led the Knicks to three straight NBA Finals appearances (1951-1953). His contributions to the franchise’s early success earned him induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991.
Original Iron Man: @NYKnicks legend Harry Gallatin (1927-2015) played in an @NBA record 682 consecutive games pic.twitter.com/9uiMcps07R
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) October 7, 2015
9) Charles Oakley
Oakley played 727 games for the Knicks (1988–1998), averaging 10.4 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 2.3 APG, and 1.1 SPG while shooting 48.7% from the field and 76.3% from the free-throw line. He played 94 playoff games, averaging 9.2 PPG, 10.2 RPG, and 2.1 APG. Led the NBA in total rebounds (1,088) in 1989. Recorded 250 double-doubles with the Knicks. Played all 82 games in five seasons. NBA Finals appearance (1994). 1× All-Star (1994), 1× All-Defensive First Team (1994), 1× All-Defensive Second Team (1998). Ranks top five in franchise history in rebounds (7,291).
HBD Charles Oakley!
Knicks legend, All-Star, All-Defense & one of the toughest players in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/3dxNKDfUhb— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 18, 2021
Also Read: Ranking the Top 10 Brooklyn Nets Players in NBA History
8) Carmelo Anthony
Anthony played seven seasons with the Knicks (2011-2017), averaging 24.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.2 assists. Though he won no championships in New York, Anthony led the Knicks to three playoff appearances, including the 2013 Eastern Conference Semifinals. He won the NBA scoring title in 2012-13 (28.7 PPG) and set the franchise and Madison Square Garden record with 62 points against Charlotte in 2014. Anthony made seven All-Star appearances as a Knick and was named to two All-NBA Second Teams and one All-NBA Third Team during his New York tenure.
7) Bill Bradley
Bradley spent his entire 10-year NBA career (1967-1977) with the New York Knicks, averaging 12.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. The Princeton graduate and Rhodes Scholar was an essential piece of both championship teams (1970, 1973). He was a one-time All-Star and known for exemplary team play. Bradley’s number 24 was retired by the Knicks, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.
6) Dave DeBusschere
DeBusschere played six seasons with the New York Knicks (1968-1974), averaging 16 points and 10.7 rebounds. His acquisition from Detroit in 1968 completed the championship puzzle, helping New York win titles in 1970 and 1973. A six-time All-Star (four with New York), DeBusschere was renowned for his defensive excellence, earning six All-Defensive First Team selections (five with the Knicks). DeBusschere’s number 22 was retired by the franchise, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1983.
5) Bernard King
King’s Knicks tenure (1982-1987) was brief. He averaged 26.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.8 assists. His 1984-85 season was legendary. He led the NBA with 32.9 points per game before suffering a devastating knee injury. Though he won no championships with New York, King was named to the All-NBA First Team twice as a Knick. His scoring prowess included a 60-point performance against the Nets on Christmas Day 1984. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013.
4) Earl Monroe
Monroe played nine seasons with the New York Knicks (1971-1980), averaging 16.2 points, 3.5 assists, and 2.6 rebounds. Monroe made two All-Star appearances with New York (four overall in his career). His number 15 was retired by the Knicks, and he was added to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1990.
Happy Birthday, Earl Monroe: Before the arrival of @MagicJohnson there was another “Magic” – “Black Magic,” also known as “Earl the Pearl.” pic.twitter.com/NEeA9kkh0T
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) November 21, 2017
3) Willis Reed
Reed spent his entire 10-year career (1964-1974) with the Knicks, averaging 18.7 points and 12.9 rebounds. He led New York to its only two championships (1970, 1973) and won Finals MVP both times. His heroic Game 7 entrance in the 1970 Finals remains one of the NBA’s most iconic moments. Reed won the league MVP in 1970, earned seven All-Star selections, and was named to five All-NBA teams (1×First, 4×Second). He also made the All-Defensive First Team once. Reed’s number 19 was retired by the Knicks, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982.
Willis Reed has died at 80 years old
The Knicks legend was a Hall of Famer and 2x NBA champion pic.twitter.com/1719wghtdw
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 21, 2023
Also Read: Ranking the Top 10 Boston Celtics Players in NBA History
2) Walt Frazier
Frazier played 10 seasons with the New York Knicks (1967-1977), averaging 19.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 6.3 assists. He won two NBA championships (1970, 1973), famously delivering 36 points, 19 assists, and 7 rebounds in Game 7 of the 1970 Finals. A seven-time All-Star and seven-time All-Defensive First Team selection, Frazier was named to the All-NBA First Team four times and All-NBA Second Team twice. The Knicks retired his number 10 jersey.
Who is the greatest New York Knicks player of all time?
Patrick Ewing
Ewing played 15 seasons for the Knicks (1985-2000), averaging 22.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks. The 11-time All-Star led New York to NBA Finals appearances in 1994 and 1999, though he never won a championship. Ewing was named to the All-NBA First Team once and All-NBA Second Team six times. He earned three All-Defensive Second Team selections. He holds franchise records for points (23,665), rebounds (10,759), blocks (2,758), and steals (1,061). His number 33 was retired by the Knicks, and he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is the New York Knicks’ all-time leading scorer?
Patrick Ewing holds the franchise record for points with 23,665 scored in his 15 seasons in New York.
Which Knicks player has the most championships with the team?
Dick Barnett, Phil Jackson, Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere, Walt Frazier, and Willis Reed won two NBA titles (1970, 1973), the most in franchise history.
What’s the New York Knicks’ franchise record for single-game points at Madison Square Garden?
Carmelo Anthony set the record with 62 points against Charlotte in 2014.
Who played the most games for the Knicks?
Patrick Ewing played the most games in franchise history, appearing in 1,039 regular-season contests.
