Donte DiVincenzo, who departed the Golden State Warriors in the summer to join the New York Knicks under coach Tom Thibodeau, has swiftly become a key player in the Knicks’ rotation and garnered favor among fans. 

In a post-game interview after the Knicks’ 113-109 victory over the Washington Wizards on January 17, DiVincenzo attributed his improvements and adjustment to a larger role on the team to the influence of NBA stars Steph Curry, Jordan Poole, and Klay Thompson.

“Just watching how Steph goes about (his preparation),” DiVincenzo said. “Steph, Jordan (Poole) and Klay (Thompson) were huge for me in just seeing how they prepared every day. I watched Steph go 1-for-12 and come in the next day and shoot 1,000 shots. And I’ve seen him go 12-for-12 and come in (the next day) and shoot 1,000 shots. So it just taught me the preparation (needed) to be able to have the confidence in-game. Coming over here, I’m not changing anything about my routine….Good game, bad game. Good shooting night, doesn’t matter. I’ll just come in and do the same thing every night.”

DiVincenzo emphasized Curry’s work ethic and preparation, highlighting how observing Curry’s consistent dedication to practice, regardless of individual game outcomes, taught him the importance of preparation for building in-game confidence. Regardless of the game’s outcome or his shooting performance, DiVincenzo has adopted a steadfast routine since joining the Knicks.

Having participated in 42 games for the Knicks this season, DiVincenzo has averaged 11.2 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. He boasts shooting percentages of 45.5% from the field and an impressive 42.5% from beyond the arc. His versatile skill set, particularly his point-of-attack defense and scoring ability, has proven valuable for the Knicks. While the Golden State Warriors could benefit from DiVincenzo’s contributions, his former teammates are likely pleased to witness his success in his new environment.