Karter Knox’s Father Discusses Status of His Recruitment

Karter Knox is a five-star wing in the class of 2024. If the last name sounds familar, he is the younger brother of former Kentucky Wildcat, Kevin Knox Jr., who was a one-and-done for Kentucky Wildcats back in the 2017-18 season.

Karter is currently the 8th ranked recruit in the 2024 class according to 247Sports Composite ranking. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound small forward just finished his junior season at Tampa Catholic high school, averaging 19.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.2 blocked shots.

Along with his older brother, Kevin Jr., Karter comes from a family of the athletically inclined. Karter’s father, Kevin Sr., played football at Florida State for Bobby Bowden, and he has another older brother who is also playing college basketball at Grand Canyon.

Recently, David Sisk of CatsIllustrated caught up with Kevin Sr. for an interview on Karter’s recruitment

Kevin Knox Sr. answers questions about Karter’s recruitment

When asked what type of role he and the coaches recruiting him envisioned for Karter, he said, “They see him as a two/three. A two/three is basically a wing. He is a very dynamic individual in the open court. He is very explosive.”

On Karter’s size and physicality, he adds, “It goes with what Cal [John Calipari] likes, and things of that nature. When you get those individuals who like contact, and they can be very explosive and dunk on you, finish through contact, and be able to shoot the three you can keep the defender off balance when you have that type of balance.”

“When you have those back-alley brawls you need to go out and recruit people who are brawlers,” Knox says about playing in the SEC. “Cal is very particular, because obviously Kevin went there I know a lot of the things that he is expecting: 94 feet, picking up defense, trying to apply that pressure, wanting people to basically fight. Not literally fighting, but mentally and physically being in elite shape and just grinding out to get that W, because that’s the league that you’re in. That is the one thing when people think about Karter Knox they think about that individual that doesn’t mind the contact, doesn’t mind the defense, doesn’t mind to go up in help and get that blocked shot, doesn’t mind taking a charge, doing whatever it takes to get a W.”

When Knox was asked about their relationship with Kentucky, he explained there is a family feel there, but it will be up to Calipari to recruit Karter.

“One thing that Kentucky talks about is family. To Karter that is like Uncle Cal. What Cal was able to do for Kevin, and for our family we are very grateful,” Knox says. “It was a true blessing to go to Kentucky and be a part of the BBN coached by John Calipari. Like I told him it’s your job. You’ve got to recruit Karter Knox to let him know he feels comfortable here being a part of the family, and trying to bring home the next national championship, something that has alluded Cal. That’s what we’re all about. Karter is all about winning a national championship. He’s got one more year to win a state championship onto trying to win a national championship.”

Kevin Sr. says that Karter is narrowing down his list of schools soon.

“He’s going to release a top eight coming out real soon. Some of the obvious ones you talk about Kentucky, Kenny Payne and Louisville, LSU, Bill Self at Kansas, Florida State with Leonard Hamilton, Auburn, Arkansas (Eric) Musselman have reached out quite a bit. They are really getting involved quite a bit. They’ve got a lot of freshmen that are probably going to be drafted, and leading into the draft.”

In his junior season, Karter has taken two official visits – Kentucky and Louisville.

“Obviously, we had an official visit as a junior with Kentucky and Louisville. We are looking to get some of those other schools involved as well, and hear what they have to offer.”

Access the full interview, here.