New York Knicks team president Phil Jackson has claimed that rookie Kristaps Porzingis has a "magical element" to his game.
The Knicks selected the 20-year-old with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 Draft, which was criticised by the club's supporters.
However, Porzingis has enjoyed a strong start to his career in the NBA, leading to high praise from Jackson.
Jackson told Sirius XM NBA Radio: "There's the magical element to this young man that has caught the admiration, I think, of the fanbase here in New York City and people around the country that do follow the Knicks.
"In seeing this guy he's got the right temperament, the right attitude, carries himself well."
Porzingis has averaged 13.8 points per game for the Knicks this season.