2018 NBA Draft: 5 prospects who showed up big at Champion’s Classic
5. Kevin Knox, Kentucky Wildcats
Year: Freshman
Position: SF/PF
For the entire Kentucky Wildcats starting lineup, their matchup against the Kansas Jayhawks was only their third game at the college level, and their first against a Power 5 school. Seven of Kentucky’s nine rotation players, including all five starters, are freshman — seemingly unheard of in college basketball, even in the one-and-done era.
Despite the wealth of young talent, the Wildcats lack a truly elite NBA prospect. Big man Jared Vanderbilt is out until January with a foot injury, and even he only checks in at No. 14 on Hoops Habit’s latest Big Board. Just behind him is combo forward Kevin Knox, who on Tuesday was by far Kentucky’s best player.
Knox was one of just two Wildcats to score in double figures, as he dropped in 20 points on 14 shooting possessions (field goals plus free throw trips). While the Jayhawks squeezed the freshman bigs out of position underneath the rim, Knox was able to keep his team in striking distance by hitting a number of tough shots from outside, including 3-of-6 from downtown.
In the end he wasn’t able to hit the toughest — and most important shot — of the night, a floater he released from behind the backboard in the final seconds with his team down two. Kansas’ defense, perennially one of the best in the nation, forced him off his spot as they had done to his teammates all night.
The league always needs more wings, especially ones who can shoot and serve as secondary creators. Tuesday night was a step in the right direction for Knox, who may need to be this team’s top scorer nightly for them to win against the best competition.