5-star Karter Knox talks Kentucky offer, brother Kevin with KSR

On3 imageby:Jack Pilgrim07/23/22

2024 five-star wing Karter Knox was among the first players in the rising junior class to receive a scholarship offer from Kentucky when the direct contact period opened back in June. At the time, he was the fourth prospect to earn one, joining Ian Jackson, Tre Johnson and Isaiah Elohim.

On the surface, it was a significant offer specifically from a talent perspective. The 6-foot-5 guard is physical, athletic and skilled with a confident jumper from three. Off the dribble or coming off screens, stationary or off-balance, Knox is capable of getting his shot off, and knocks them down with growing consistency.

And then there are the family ties, with Knox’s brother being none other than former Kentucky wing Kevin Knox.

Needless to say, the offer from John Calipari was a big one for the Tampa (FL) Catholic standout.

“It’s a blessing,” Knox told KSR this week at Peach Jam. “Talking to Coach Cal, hearing him say I had an offer from Kentucky, it’s just a blessing. My brother went to Kentucky and everything, so it’s just a blessing to have one.”

Conversations first started with coach Orlando Antigua, with Calipari quickly ramping up contact from there. From there, it’s been smooth sailing between the two parties.

“We have a pretty good relationship,” Knox told KSR. “(Antigua) always texts me, we go back and forth, all of that. Me and Cal, it’s like family. Growing up with the Kentucky program, with Kevin, we’ve just always been really close.”

Why did Calipari choose to make Knox one of the first prospects in the class of 2024 to receive an offer from Kentucky? He knew how quickly the five-star wing’s recruitment would blow up and demanded to be out in front.

“Cal said he wasn’t going to take any chances (in my recruitment),” Knox said. “He wanted to go ahead and offer me early on for the 2024 class.”

Just how important was it to see that early effort?

“It’s very important for me,” he said. “It’s a sign that they want to keep close with me and build a relationship.

His brother Kevin was a five-star wing himself out of high school, choosing the Wildcats over Duke and North Carolina, among others. He would go on to average 15.6 points and 5.4 rebounds in his lone season at Kentucky before being drafted No. 9 overall in 2018.

As with most brothers, competition runs strong between the two, with Karter believing he’ll be able to surpass Kevin at some point in the near future. For now, though, he knows the Detroit Pistons wing has him beat.

“I’m always trying to be better than him (laughs),” Knox told KSR. ”So far, he’s got me right now, but in the future I feel like I’ll be better than him.”

It’s not just about Kentucky, though. There is a long list of other programs fighting to land his services.

“LSU, Ohio State, Baylor, Texas, those are the main schools right now,” he said.

It’s early, so he doesn’t know what the final deciding factor will be in his recruitment. He does know — loosely, at least — what he’s looking for in a college.

“I don’t really know yet. I’m really wide open and I have a lot of options,” he told KSR. ”Good coaching, a good environment, and of course, you have to have a good education.”

Knox is rated as the No. 11 overall prospect and No. 4 small forward in the 2024 On3 Consensus, a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four major recruiting media services.

Will he be a Wildcat?

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2024-03-29