LAS VEGAS — Point guard Luca Vildoza arrived from Tokyo late Friday night, staged his first practice as a Knick on Saturday and is ready to reverse his Olympic fortunes Sunday when their summer-league schedule opens against Toronto at 4:30 p.m.
Vildoza, the 25-year-old Argentine prospect who signed last May, has a four-year non-guaranteed contract.
With the drafting of point guards Miles McBride and Rokas Jokubaitis, Vildoza’s place on the 15-man roster in October is no longer a sure thing. Especially with his Olympic performance not going well as Argentina posted a 1-3 record in the Tokyo Games.
During the exhibition schedule in Las Vegas, where Argentina’s national team trained because the pandemic was soaring in the South American country, they went 0-3.
Vildoza averaged seven points and three assists in 20 minutes in the four Olympic contests.
“To be honest, we didn’t play like we normally do,’’ Vildoza said after his first Knicks practice. “We actually played terrible. I didn’t feel pretty good. To be honest, I was missing a lot of shots I don’t normally miss. I was without my confidence and I showed that on the court. Now, I’m trying to get back to where I was, trying to make my shots and my game.’’
Vildoza said he’ll be ready to play Sunday if called upon, but admitted he had some jet lag.
“I feel happy to be here,’’ said Vildzoa, who played in the Spanish League the past four seasons with Baskonia. “I was really tired after the trip but I’m OK today. The jet lag was very tough. I sleep pretty good. I was with the team this morning and feel really happy.’’
Vildoza’s status with the Knicks could be shaky, depending on what Jokubaitis shows in Las Vegas. The Lithuanian lefty was expected to play in Barcelona this season, but if he excels in summer league, those plans could change. Jokubaitis has looked solid in practice so far.
“I’m trying,’’ Vildoza said regarding his uncertain future. “I’m trying to work hard. I’m trying to show myself. I just want to show who I am. If after that, I can’t get onto the team, that’s OK. At least I gave everything.’’
Vildoza comes with a ringing endorsement from former Knicks point guard Pablo Prigioni, also of Argentina.
There was a lot to digest for Vildoza in his first practice.
“It was actually very tough,’’ Vildoza said. “I was trying to figure out the sets. I was paying attention. It was OK. In Europe, I was playing a lot of sets similar.’’
The five-game summer-league schedule will be a chance for the Knicks’ four drafted rookies — McBride (selected 36th), shooting guard Quentin Grimes (25th), Jokubaitis (34th) and Texas big man Jericho Sims (58th) to get their feet wet.
In addition, the Knicks’ 2020 first-round picks, Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley, who didn’t have a summer league before their rookie season because of the pandemic, will play the first couple of games at least.
“I will be there, so let’s see if I get the opportunity to be on the court,’’ Vildoza said. “I know I can make mistakes every time because I’ve never been with my teammates until now.’’