Brandon Knight Deals With Duke, Kentucky and Florida Rumors
Words. Jason Jordan
Brandon Knight has been talked about as the next big thing ever since he switched from a fade to cornrows somewhere around eighth grade. Whether it’s with media hounds or overzealous fans, he answers the same basic questions on a daily basis, and for those reasons it’s no wonder Knight, a 6-3 point guard who is rated the No. 2 prospect in the HighSchoolHoop top 50, sounds less-than-interested to chat … Even if he’s in Hollywood accepting the Gatorade Athlete of the Year Award just before the ESPY’s.
Knight, who averaged 31.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists to lead Pine Crest High (Fla.) to a second straight state title, was just the third junior to receive the prestigious award following LeBron James (2002 and 2003) and Greg Oden (2005 and 2006).
“It’s a major honor don’t get me wrong,” says Knight. “It was a total surprise and it’s a great honor. I’m just not a big attention freak like that. It’s not that I don’t like the media or anything like that. I just like to stick to myself.”
HighSchoolHoop: You seem a little tired.
Brandon Knight: Just been a long day, but I’m excited about being here.
HSH: Talk about your injury.
BK: I have a fractured bone in my foot. I was coming down from a shot and basically came down on someone’s foot.
HSH: How is it now and how long will you be out?
BK: It’s definitely getting better. I hope to be back in about a month or so.
HSH: You’re dubbed as a potential one-and-done player. Is that your plan?
BK: No, I wouldn’t say that’s my plan. My main goal my first year of college is to impact my team and get better.
HSH: So do you want to stay more than a year?
BK: I’m saying that if I have the opportunity to go after my first year I would consider it. I’m not saying that I would go, but me and my family would look at everything and decide.
HSH: People have debated about the rule ever since its inception, what’s your stance on the one-year rule?
BK: I think you should be able to go straight from high school because with other sports you have that option. When you turn 18 you’re basically an adult legally and if you think that you’re ready to go to the NBA you should be able to do that. At the same time, I can see the perks and benefits of going to college too, but I just feel like you should be able to choose.
HSH: I know you’re big on education so whether you stay in school or not do you want to get a degree?
BK: Yeah I definitely want to get a degree. I would go back to school and finish my degree.
HSH: (Florida guard) Kenny Boynton told us that you were the type of player that always has a ball in your hands. What’s with that?
BK: I don’t know, it’s just my nature. I’m just always trying to find a way to get better. I feel like I want to improve something everyday. From firsthand experience I know that when you work hard daily you do actually get better. I’m not trying to waste any days.
HSH: Are you “that” guy who does moves even if he doesn’t have a ball in his hands?
BK: (Laughs) Yeah, I am sometimes.
HSH: So what’s your typical workout day like?
BK: Well, you know I can’t tell the whole world, but I’ll give you a little bit. I wake up about 8 a.m. and shoot. Then I’ll go lift and come back and shoot again. I like to shoot until I feel like I’ve gotten it down to perfection, and then I’ll move on.
HSH: Are you a perfectionist in everything?
BK: Definitely.
HSH: What’s the most overdone question people ask you?
BK: Right now it’s about my foot. That and what school I’m gonna go to.
HSH: Well, since you brought it up…
BK: (Laughs) I’m wide open. Any school that is recruiting me, I’m pretty much interested.
HSH: Oh, you’re good at this. Well, throw me some names out just for kicks.
BK: UCLA, Connecticut, Wake Forest, Duke, Syracuse, Miami, Florida State, Florida, Kentucky, Kansas. There are others too.
HSH: Well, you’re in Hollywood now. Any chance you slide by UCLA while you’re there?
BK: Nah I’m not visiting while I’m here.
HSH: What’s important to you in looking for a school?
BK: A good relationship with the coach. I want a coach to tell me that I’m gonna have to work for everything not that I’m just gonna some in and start. That and education.
HSH: How often do you talk to the coaches that are recruiting you?
BK: Probably around once or twice a month.
HSH: What’s the best recruiting tactic a school has ever hit you with?
BK: I had a school put together a list of NBA players that played for their school and they listed all of their accomplishments. Then on the other side they put me, basically saying that I can do the same thing that these guys have done.
HSH: That’s tight. Who did that?
BK: Ooh, I don’t know if I can say.
HSH: OK, well let’s clear up some rumors then. First, we hear you’re not leaving Florida.
BK: Yeah I’ve heard this one. That’s definitely a rumor.
HSH: Next, we hear that you’re a done deal to Kentucky?
BK: No that’s not true either, but yes I’ve heard that too.
HSH: You ever heard the saying that all rumors are based in some fact?
BK: (Laughs) Yeah, but that’s not the case here. I also heard that I’m a lock to Duke. That’s not true. I’m not a lock anywhere.
HSH: Since you’re a one-legged hooper for a while are you going to take some visits?
BK: I probably will get in a few unofficial visits. I just don’t know where yet.
HSH: When do you want to end this thing?
BK: It doesn’t’ really matter to me when it ends. I don’t like attention, but I’m gonna decide when I’m comfortable.
Photos. Davide De Pas
dis dude is niceeeeee. hopefully he goes somewhere that is great on education and that knows how to get guards to tha league. GO TO NOVA! Oh yea he looks a lot like lil wayne lol
Pine Crest enrollment Fee= $2,000
Grades Nine through Twelve ANNUAL Tuition= $21,990
Getting the services of Brandon Knight for one year of college ball= PRICELESS
Put God 1st.Mr. 32# at Inlet Grove Says you are ok, but it’s all about the team,with God and the team,it would not be you.Good Luck this Year.P.S. am at Palm beach Lakes this year.check me out..God Bless…..2010P.S. i also scored 21 points on you.
all of the BIG BLUE nation is awaiting your services…. has anyone ever told you you look great in blue….OOHHHH C A T S CATS CATS CATS
The entire big blue nation is awaiting the decision John. Woops sorry i mean Brandon.
You should definitely come to UK!!! =D You would look really good in blue!