5 Kevin Knox

Kevin Knox was born Kevin Devon Knox II on August 11, 1999, in Phoenix, Arizona, and grew up in Tampa, Florida. At Tampa Catholic High School, the 6-foot-9 forward became one of the nation’s premier prospects, earning three first-team all-state selections and setting a school record with 55 points in a game. He played in the McDonald’s All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic, won two gold medals with USA Basketball and chose Kentucky over Duke, North Carolina, Florida State and Missouri.

Knox immediately became the leading scorer for a young Kentucky team in 2017-18, averaging 15.8 points and starting all 37 games. His ability to score from the perimeter and use his size against smaller defenders earned him Associated Press All-America honorable mention, SEC Co-Freshman of the Year, first-team All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman honors. He also helped the Wildcats capture the SEC Tournament championship and was selected to the event’s all-tournament team.

His signature performance came at seventh-ranked West Virginia, where he scored 34 points and made five 3-pointers as Kentucky erased a 17-point deficit for an 83-76 victory. Knox finished his lone season with 576 points, the eighth-highest freshman total in Kentucky history, before entering the 2018 NBA Draft. The New York Knicks selected him ninth overall, beginning a professional career that later included time with the Atlanta Hawks, Detroit Pistons, Portland Trail Blazers and Golden State Warriors.