Kristaps Porzingis #6 of the New York Knicks Elsa/Getty Images/AFP
UFC Lightweight Champion Conor McGregor’s stock has certainly risen in recent months, and he has garnered a string of new fans along the way.
Among these new admirers is 7’3″ Latvian center Kristaps Porzingis, who is seeking some inspiration to gain a mental edge for the next NBA season.
The New York Knicks’ big man spoke to NBA.com’s Shaun Powell and revealed that he was indeed studying McGregor’s mind-game routine and antics.
“I want to improve the mental side. I’m actually amazed by Conor McGregor,” he said. “I’ve been watching so many of his videos, trash talking, how mentally strong he is. I’ve been really interested in that kind of stuff.”
The 22-year-old center has shown flashes of superstardom in his first two seasons in the league, but the team’s constant losing has taken a toll on the promising player.
He averaged 18.1 points and 7.2 boards for the Knicks last season, but was briefly involved in trade talks after skipping the team’s customary exit interview.
“I’m still 22 and still really young, but I’m trying to learn as much as I can on the court and trying to learn as much as I can off the court as well,” he said.
Porzingis, meanwhile, is currently in Johannesburg, South Africa, to participate in the Team World vs. Team Africa exhibition game.
A recent video of him training alongside NBA veteran Dirk Nowitzki—whom he’s been compared to in numerous occasions—has been a viral hit online. Khristian Ibarrola /ra
Learning from the legend!
Dirk Nowitzki & Kristaps Porzingis swishing from downtown during a Johannesburg workout. #NBAAfricaGame 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/FBjFpmg5hp
— NBA (@NBA) August 3, 2017
.@kporzee & @swish41 get up some shots together in Johannesburg#BWBAfrica #NBAAfricaGame pic.twitter.com/ZI8unwSwSr
— NBA.com (@NBAcom) August 3, 2017