Get ready to watch Malik Monk light it up for the Hornets

After a sensational freshman season with the Kentucky Wildcats, Malik Monk now begins his rookie season in the NBA with the Hornets. Charlotte selected Monk 11th in the 2017 NBA draft on Thursday.

Monk is one of the best perimeter scorers in this year’s draft class. He averaged 19.8 points per game at Kentucky shooting 39.7 percent from downtown. He posted four 30-point games last season, including a 47-point bashing of the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Monk was the head of a two-pronged Wildcat backcourt (including De’Aaron Fox) that pushed Kentucky to an Elite Eight appearance. Now he joins a Hornets team that will benefit from his offensive firepower. The rookie guard isn’t just a shooter. And if developed in the right system, Monk has the ability to turn into one of the league’s backcourt threats.

Monk’s game should translate seamlessly over to the NBA. The 6’3 guard can score off the dribble but has been equally effective curling off screens for open looks at the rim. He’s like a cross between C.J. McCollum and J.J. Redick.

That level of offensive versatility lends itself to Charlotte, a team that could use a guard who can get a bucket under any circumstance.

Kentucky’s standout shooter drilled 104 three-pointers last season. Only UNC’s Justin Jackson made more threes (105) last year, and Monk made his at an impressive 39.7 percent clip.

Monk had six games last season with at least five threes made, and he made 8-of-12 attempts in a win over UNC. He can hit contested threes, wide open threes, threes off the dribble, and threes coming off a screen. In an NBA era where perimeter shooting is valued more than ever, Monk’s ability to light it up from behind the arc is precious.

Monk is undersized at 6’3, but his freakish athletic ability makes up for it. Just watch how he picks apart Ole Miss on this possession:

This is the caliber of athlete the Hornets just picked up in the draft.

As dynamic as he is offensively, Monk is still a tweener at 6’3. That means he can probably only defend point guards and undersized shooting guards without becoming a liability on that end of the floor.

Monk has also grown accustomed to hitting heavily contested shots at Kentucky. He can’t fall in love with those types of looks at the next level.

Malik’s brother, Marcus Monk, was a standout wide receiver at Arkansas. But Marcus’ career was cut short when a tragic knee injury derailed his season.