NEW YORK -- It wasn't exactly a recruiting pitch, more of a casual greeting.

Jahlil Okafor was walking through a back hallway in the bowels of Madison Square Garden on Sunday when he passed Carmelo Anthony and Cleanthony Early.

Anthony briefly greeted Okafor -- and a few other Duke players -- as they crossed paths.

For a moment, Okafor appeared star struck.

"I'm still 19 years old and Carmelo Anthony is one of the best players to play basketball," he said. "I'm a big fan of him."

Anthony wasn't the only Knicks employee at the Garden on Sunday to watch Okafor and Duke play St. John's.

Knicks president Phil Jackson, general manager Steve Mills, assistant general manager Allan Houston and director of scouting Kristian Peteseric were also on hand to watch Okafor, the player many consider to be the best pro prospect in college basketball.

"I like him," Anthony said after Okafor scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in Duke's win. "He's got a great feel for the game and a great touch. He's a big body for sure down there. He's a load."

Okafor had a strong, if uneven, showing in front of the Knicks' hierarchy.

He hit 7 of 10 shots, including two key baskets in Duke's 18-2 run in the second half that allowed the Blue Devils to take control and earn coach Mike Krzyzewski his 1,000th career win. He also had five turnovers.

Afterward, Krzyzewski accentuated the positive.

"He's a remarkable player and needs the attention of an entire team to neutralize him," Krzyzewski said. "He'll be a franchise player and a franchise person for whoever's lucky enough to get him."

There's a vocal contingent of fans who hope the Knicks are that franchise.

"Choke More for Okafor" is a phrase that has become popular among a segment of the team's fan base.

Okafor said he has received Twitter and Instagram comments from Knicks fans about playing for the team in 2015.

"Just supporting their team on my Instagram page and on Twitter," he said.

You can excuse Knicks fans from trying to influence the 19-year-old Okafor.

ESPN's Chad Ford ranks Okafor as the top prospect in the draft thanks to his soft touch around the basket and strong midrange shot. Okafor, 6-foot-11 with a 7-5 wingspan, is drawing comparisons from draft experts to future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan.

But he's far from perfect.

Ford writes that Okafor's weaknesses include a lack of lateral quickness and a lazy approach at times on defense. He doesn't yet defend the pick-and-roll well and has a penchant to allow easy looks at the rim.

Still, Okafor's potential is undeniable.

"He has the biggest upside in college basketball," Krzyzewski said.

That's why so many members of the Knicks' front office were at the game on Sunday.

Okafor said he didn't notice Anthony or Jackson in the stands but he appreciated the atmosphere at the Garden.

"This is my first time playing here," Okafor said. "I can't believe I'm actually here in Madison Square Garden making history."

If the pingpong balls favor this Knicks in a few months, Okafor may be making history for the home team some day.