Five-star Kevin Knox ready to lock in on a decision
BROOKLYN -- Five-star senior forward Kevin Knox can't wait to get home for spring break. After whirlwind few weeks that saw him play in the McDonald's All-American Game in Chicago, the Nike Hoop Summit in Portland and take an official visit to Missouri, a stop at the Jordan Brand Classic in Brooklyn was the last stop for the undecided senior.
Down to Duke, Florida State, Kentucky, Missouri and North Carolina. The 6-foot-8 forward from Tampa (Fla.) Catholic won't just get some time off for spring break when he gets home, he'll get some time to clear his head and a return to normalcy.
"Yes, it's spring break when I get home from Jordan Brand," Knox told Rivals.com. "I've been traveling all over for these games and it will be good to get a routine, clear my head and lock in on a decision."
IN HIS OWN WORDS
Knox discussed his trip to Missouri and what's next with the recruiting process and why he's taken so much time with his decision.
Missouri visit: "It was a great visit and I had a really good time," said Knox. "It was kind of last minute but I wanted to make sure I took the time to enjoy it. I got to see the facilities are really nice. The fans are crazy up there, everywhere we walked they were yelling and taking pictures. It was definitely a great visit and I had a lot of fun.
"Coach (Cuonzo) Martin is a really good coach. In the past he's coached Jaylen Brown and Ivan Rabb. He's a defensive minded coach but he wants me to be able to come in with Michael Porter and put the ball in the basket. Coach Zo is a great guy and my family loves him."
Plans to do in home visits: "My dad is in the talks with the coaches about that now. That's still the plan for them to be able to come in and see me before I make my decision. I'm looking forward to seeing some coaches in the next couple of weeks.
Why his decision has taken this long: "One of the reasons I pushed my decision back was because I wanted to see who is staying and who is leaving and who I'm going to be playing with. I think I did the right thing by doing that. I'm still looking for a school that runs in transition. I'm a versatile guy and want to be able to get the ball and push it in transition and I think all four or five of my schools will do that really well."
WHAT'S NEXT?
Knox said that he and his family would like to do one last in home visit with his finalists and then make a decision. He even mentioned a date by which he will have his decision.
"Right now me and my parents are really getting in more serious talks. We know the decision is coming soon and we just have to do what is right for me and my family. The decision is going to come real soon, no later than May 10th."
RIVALS' REACTION
That Missouri was able to score a visit at such a late juncture in Knox's recruitment was pretty impressive. The Tigers are a legitimate factor However, at the end of the day it is going to be tough to beat out schools that have developed relationships for multiple years. Of late, most of the speculation about Knox has been that he may end up on Tobacco Road playing for Duke and North Carolina. What is interesting, though, is that in speaking with other players at the Jordan Brand Classic several of them brought up Florida State -- where Knox's father played football and his mother went to school -- and said that they are a team to watch.
Essentially, Knox's recruitment has somehow become more difficult to read as he gets closer to making his choice.