Because of the Knicks' desperate need for height and a low-post threat, most projections for the June 28 NBA draft have them taking Arizona center Channing Frye with the eighth pick. But they also need reliable outside shooting if Allan Houston's career is winding down, and three of the prospects they worked out yesterday - Texas A&M's Antoine Wright, Florida's Matt Walsh and Louisville's Francisco Garcia - might provide it.

Wright can play shooting guard and small forward and is regarded as a sure lottery pick in the 7-14 range; Garcia, who plays both guard positions, is projected to go late in the first round or early in the second. The most intriguing of the three might be Walsh, a pure shooter who is a favorite of Knicks pro personnel director Brendan Suhr.

The Knicks also hold the 30th and last pick in the first round, but Walsh, who committed to stay in the draft as a junior when he signed with an agent this week, probably won't be available unless the Knicks trade up. "I wouldn't have done it if I didn't think I was going to be picked," said Walsh, who said he expects to go from 17 to 30.

"I'm not going to say anything about any guarantees, but I'm confident I'm going to be in those picks . . . I've shot the ball well everywhere I've gone. Also, I led our team in assists. In the NBA these days, everyone's looking for a shooter and somebody who makes people better."

Walsh actually worked out twice for the Knicks yesterday, first playing with three second-round prospects and then matching up with Wright, Garcia and Michigan State's Alan Anderson. His smile said he was pleased with the results, and Suhr and Knicks president Isiah Thomas have given him positive feedback.

"I'm real close with Brendan Suhr, and Isiah came down and talked to us at Florida last season," Walsh said. "Suhr said he absolutely agreed with my decision to stay in the draft. He said if I was his son, he would tell me to do the same thing. I've talked to Isiah a little bit. To be in his presence was really an honor for me. I think he was at the SEC Tournament, and I got tournament MVP."

Wright improved his shooting dramatically during his junior season and has been moving up rapidly in his workouts because he also is a slasher who can get to the rim. If Frye isn't available at the eighth pick, Wright could be the choice.

"They've talked to my agent, and Isiah came and watched a couple of my workouts while I was in New York [at the time of the May 24 draft lottery]," Wright said. "He was impressed, and he said he was going to bring me in. I didn't know I was going to be working out against this tough group. I think we definitely brought the best out of each other."