Growing up 65 miles south of Philadelphia in rural Woodbine, New Jersey, Keith Palek’s NBA allegiance had long belonged to the 76ers.
After one of the most productive seasons in Missouri State men’s basketball history, Palek — an All-Conference USA selection during his lone season in Springfield — is all in on the New York Knicks.
The 6-foot-9 stretch forward signed a summer league contract with the Knicks on June 25, 12 days after the Knicks defeated the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Finals to end a 53-year Larry O’Brien trophy drought in Manhattan.
Palek reports to Madison Square Garden Training Center on July 5 before beginning NBA Summer League in Las Vegas on July 8. Summer rosters are comprised of recently drafted rookies, second-year players, undrafted free agents, and G-League prospects looking to secure contracts for the forthcoming regular season.
“It’s a great feeling to get my foot in the door and have an opportunity to showcase my abilities,” Palek told the Daily Citizen. “I’m super excited for this experience, but of course I’m not satisfied with just getting to this point, I want to see how far I can go.”
Palek, who starred at NCAA Division II California University (Pennsylvania) before making the move to MSU this past season, averaged 17.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists and connected on 40 3-pointers. His 587 points rank No. 9 all-time in MSU single-season scoring.
Palek was the first player in MSU history to post 500 points, 200 rebounds and 100 assists in a season and is one of five Division I players to reach those statistical milestones this season.
During the season, MSU head coach Cuonzo Martin — a former NBA player who has since helped send several players to the league during his stops at Tennessee, Cal and Mizzou — said he believed Palek had NBA potential.
“He’s a talented player,” Martin said in February. “I think he has a chance to play at the highest level if he continues to work, but also transforms his body and does what it takes in the weight room from a physical standpoint.”
Palek said Martin’s ample NBA connections may have helped get him on some radars.
“Coach Martin is always looking out for his guys, and I’m sure he helped me out behind the scenes. I haven’t had those types of conversations with him, but knowing coach. that wouldn’t surprise me at all,” Palek said. “He obviously has had a great career both playing and coaching, and has made a lot of great connections along the way, as well as producing a ton of pros.”
Palek hired an agent and secured a workout with the Boston Celtics in May. The Detroit Pistons also invited Palek to a workout, but he said flight cancellations prevented the meeting.
“I feel (NBA scouts) liked my size and versatility, the ability to play multiple positions and play different roles,” Palek said.
A late-bloomer who grew several inches late in his high school recruiting process, Palek was able to use his redshirt senior year (an injury gave him an additional year of eligibility) to make the jump to the Division I level via the transfer portal.
He took a risk, and it worked out.
“The one year at Missouri State helped me out a lot to get to this position,” Palek said. I’m super grateful for my time as a Bear and wouldn’t have wanted to spend that past year anywhere else.”
Watch Palek and the Knicks
All 76 NBA Summer League games will air live on Prime Video or ESPN Platforms. Here is the Knicks’ schedule.
July 10: vs. Brooklyn Nets (5 p.m.)
July 11: vs. San Antonio Spurs (5 p.m.)
July 13: vs. Detroit Pistons (3 p.m.)
July 16: vs. Golden State Warriors (6 p.m.)
Ryan Collingwood is the sports editor and Missouri State University athletics beat writer for the Springfield Daily Citizen. He can be reached at rcollingwood@sgfcitizen.org or by phone at 417-837-3660. More by Ryan Collingwood