By DYLAN LUTEY
On Saturday, Kentucky basketball landed its sixth class of 2024 commitment in five-star wing Karter Knox of Overtime Elite.
The last name “Knox” is a familiar name for the Wildcats’ program and their fans. Karter’s older brother, Kevin, played one season with the program before being drafted 9th by the New York Knicks in the 2018 NBA Draft. Kevin now plays for the Utah Jazz.
This familiarity played a big role in Karter’s decision to choose Kentucky over USF and Louisville.
“It definitely means something,” Knox said Monday of following in the footsteps of his brother. “Cal [Kentucky coach John Calipari] got my brother to the league. It kind of makes sense. He got my big brother to the league; he can make me go to the league.”
Despite the fact that Kevin went to Kentucky it still wasn’t an easy decision for Karter since his other brother, Kobe, is currently at USF. Ultimately, the pedigree of Calipari and the school’s basketball culture was too enticing.
“It was just Cal and the Kentucky program; their fans are crazy and they love their basketball,” Knox said. “Cal said I can make you a pro. When Cal says something like that he’s [going to] make you a pro for sure.
“When you’re playing for one of the greatest coaches of all time in college basketball it means something. You can learn something; he has sent so many dudes to the NBA. It’s really good to learn from a coach like that who sent people to the league.”
In addition to Calipari, both current and future players in the program played a role in convincing Karter that it was the best place for him. Current star and projected lottery pick Rob Dillingham confirmed what Knox already knew about the program’s ability to develop talent.
“Coach Cal will send you to the league,” Dillingham told Knox. “Trust me this ain’t no joke. They develop guys over here and I feel like you could be the next one.”
Current teammate at Rod Wave Elite and four-star big man Somto Cyril also affected his decision.
“That’s my boy,” Knox said. “He did play a factor. He’s a great person off the court and on the court he’s just dominant. It’s great to play with him.”
Karter also has a connection with another one of the Wildcats’ class of 2024 commits – five-star Jayden Quaintance – which stemmed from the pair being roommates at a Nike camp.
Five-star Archbishop Stepinac point guard Boogie Fland also told ZAGSBLOG he was recruiting Knox.
The familiarity with the program’s personnel (past, present, and future) was a big factor in Knox’s decision, but a comfort level with the environment in Rupp Arena which has been developed throughout the years was also a big reason for his commitment.
He attended some of his brother’s games in 2017 and has also gone to a few games this season which included one against Georgia for his official visit.
“I’ll definitely be comfortable,” he said. “I know my way around the arena [and] practice gym. I know where to go. I almost know their schedule. Since I have already been there and felt the crowd experience I feel like it’s going to be a regular day in the gym. I have been there so many times – the crowd loud [and] screaming. I am already used to it.”
He anticipates making an immediate impact when he steps onto campus next season.
“I am going to bring my 3-level scoring,” he said. “The role that I am in obviously I do everything: score, defend, make plays for teammates. It’s all set for me. I just have to execute, put the work in, do my job on the court, and just stay focused.”
With the decision out of the way he has already mapped out a plan for next season.
“I feel good,” Knox said. “I do feel relieved. I just feel like I’m glad I got this over with. I feel like Kentucky was the best decision I made. Go there, hoop, win the national championship and go top-10.”
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