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Brandon Knight (basketball)

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This article is about the current basketball player. For the basketball coach and former player, see Brandin Knight. For the baseball player, see Brandon Knight (baseball).

Brandon Knight
Knight with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2019
Free agent
PositionShooting guard / Point guard
Personal information
Born (1991-12-02) December 2, 1991 (age 32)
Margate, Florida, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Listed weight182 lb (83 kg)
Career information
High schoolPine Crest
(Fort Lauderdale, Florida)
CollegeKentucky (2010–2011)
NBA draft2011: 1st round, 8th overall pick
Selected by the Detroit Pistons
Playing career2011–present
Career history
2011–2013Detroit Pistons
2013–2015Milwaukee Bucks
2015–2018Phoenix Suns
2018–2019Houston Rockets
2018→ Rio Grande Valley Vipers
2019–2020Cleveland Cavaliers
2020Detroit Pistons
2021–2022Sioux Falls Skyforce
2021–2022Dallas Mavericks
2023–2024Piratas de Quebradillas
2024AEK Athens
Career highlights and awards
Stats at NBA.com Edit this at Wikidata
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Brandon Emmanuel Knight (born December 2, 1991) is an American professional basketball player who last played for AEK Athens of the Greek Basket League. A two-time Gatorade National Player of the Year, Knight played one season of college basketball for Kentucky before being selected by the Detroit Pistons in the 2011 NBA draft. After two seasons with the Pistons, he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks. He spent a season and a half in Milwaukee before being traded to the Phoenix Suns in February 2015. In August 2018, he was traded to the Houston Rockets. At the 2019 trade deadline, he was traded to the Phoenix Suns before being traded back to the Lakers at the 2020 trade deadline.

High school career

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Born in Miami, Florida,[1] Knight attended Pine Crest School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A student-athlete at Pine Crest,[2] Knight held a 4.3 grade-point average.[3] As a junior in 2008–09, he averaged 31.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 3.2 steals. As a senior in 2009–10, he averaged 32.5 points, 8.6 rebounds and 4 assists.[3] He was subsequently named Gatorade National Player of the Year both years, in addition to earning Gatorade High School Athlete of the Year in 2010.[3] He led Pine Crest to four state title games, winning state championships in 2008 and 2009.[3] He was also a four-time class 3A-1A Basketball Player of the Year (as named by the Miami Herald)[3] and a two-time Florida Mr. Basketball.[4] His 3,515 career points ranks second on the Florida high school basketball scoring list.[3]

Following his senior season, Knight participated in the McDonald's All-American Game, Nike Hoop Summit and Jordan Brand Classic.[3] In the 2010 McDonald's All-American Game, he hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the West a 107–104 win.[3]

Ranked as the No. 6 overall prospect of 2010 by Rivals.com,[3] Knight made a verbal commitment to the University of Kentucky in April 2010.[5] Knight did not sign a binding national letter of intent with Kentucky. He kept his options open by signing a financial-aid agreement, which indicated his intention to play for Kentucky, but left him free to go elsewhere amid speculation about coach John Calipari going to the NBA.[6][7]

College career

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Knight averaged 17.3 points, 4.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 38 games as a freshman for the Kentucky Wildcats. He shot 42% from the field, 38% from three-point range and 80% from the free-throw line on the season. He set Kentucky freshman records in points scored (657),[8] 3-pointers made (87) and most 20-point games in a season (14). He also led the team in SEC play with 17.2 points, 4.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 16 games to earn First-Team All-SEC honors by the coaches, Second-Team All-SEC by the media and an SEC All-Freshman team selection.[9] Knight scored a career-high 30 points against West Virginia in the third round of the 2011 NCAA tournament. He then recorded 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists against North Carolina in the Elite Eight and was named the NCAA East Region All-Tournament Most Outstanding Player.[9]

In April 2011, Knight declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final three years of college eligibility.[8]

Professional career

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Detroit Pistons (2011–2013)

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Knight with the Pistons in February 2013

Knight was selected by the Detroit Pistons with the eighth overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft.[9] In May 2012, he earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors, becoming the first Pistons' rookie since Grant Hill (1994–95) to be named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team. Knight's 847 points were the second-most by a Pistons' rookie since the 1985–86 season and his 12.8 points per game were the fourth-highest average by a Pistons' rookie since the 1980–81 season.[10]

Knight appeared in 141 games (135 starts) in two seasons with Detroit, averaging 13.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.9 assists while shooting 37.3 percent from beyond the arc. He scored in double figures 92 times with the Pistons, including three 30-point outings.[11]

Milwaukee Bucks (2013–2015)

[edit]

On July 31, 2013, Knight was traded, along with Khris Middleton and Viacheslav Kravtsov, to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Brandon Jennings.[12] Knight's first season with Milwaukee was hit early with a hamstring injury in the season opener on October 30, limiting him to two minutes that night and forcing him to miss eight of the next 10 games.[13] On December 20, 2013, Knight scored 17 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and recorded 8 assists in a 114–111 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.[14] On December 31, Knight scored a career-high 37 points in a 94–79 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.[15] He enjoyed the most productive season in his three years as a pro, becoming only the second player in the franchise's 46-year history to lead the team in scoring (1,291 points) and assists (352) during his first season with the team.[13]

On November 19, 2014, Knight infamously missed a wide-open fastbreak layup for the win in OT against the Brooklyn Nets. However, Knight was able to redeem himself by hitting a game-tying triple to force a 3rd OT. The Bucks were able to win the game 122–118.[16] On January 15, 2015, Knight scored 20 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, recorded 6 assists, and recorded a career-high 6 steals in a blowout win versus the New York Knicks.[17] The 2014–15 season saw Knight enter the All-Star break as the team's leader in scoring and assists. In 52 games at the All-Star break, he averaged 17.8 points, a career-high 5.4 assists, a career-high 4.3 rebounds, and a career-high 1.6 steals, while shooting career-highs of 43.5 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from three-point range.[18]

Phoenix Suns (2015–2018)

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Knight guarded by Dorian Finney-Smith while with the Suns in January 2017

On February 19, 2015, Knight was traded, along with Kendall Marshall, to the Phoenix Suns in a three-team trade also involving the Philadelphia 76ers.[18] He missed time in March with a left ankle injury,[19] before missing the conclusion of the season with a left heel bone bruise that required surgery.[20][21]

On July 17, 2015, Knight re-signed with the Suns to a five-year, $70 million contract.[22][23] On November 12, he tied his career high with 37 points in a 118–104 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.[24] Four days later, Knight recorded his first career triple-double posting 30 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high 15 assists in a 120–101 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.[25] Knight became just the fourth player since steals became an official stat in the 1973–74 season to record a triple-double with a line of at least 30 points, 15 assists, 10 rebounds and four steals, joining Pete Maravich, Magic Johnson and Russell Westbrook,[26] as well as the second player behind Magic Johnson to record such a line at 23 years old or younger.[27][28] On November 20, Knight set a new career high with 38 points in a 114–107 victory over the Denver Nuggets.[29] On December 13, he scored 25 points and hit a career-high seven 3-pointers in a 108–101 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.[30] Knight missed time between late January and early March with a left adductor strain.[31] On March 12, he scored 30 points and hit a career high-tying seven 3-pointers in a 123–116 loss to the Golden State Warriors.[32] On March 28, he again scored 30 points and tied a career high with seven 3-pointers in a 121–116 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, recording his fifth 30-point game of the season.[33] On April 3, he was ruled out for the rest of the season with the same left adductor strain that kept him out for seven weeks earlier in the season.[34] Five days later, he underwent successful surgery to treat the sports hernia.[35]

The 2016–17 season saw Knight come off the bench during the first half of the season before being shut down despite being healthy over the second half of the season.[36][37] He went on to miss the entire 2017–18 season after sustaining a torn ACL in his left knee in July 2017 that required surgery.[38][39][40]

Houston Rockets (2018–2019)

[edit]

On August 31, 2018, Knight was traded, alongside Marquese Chriss, to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Ryan Anderson and De'Anthony Melton.[41] Despite looking to rehabilitate his career in 2018–19,[42] Knight was ruled out indefinitely prior to the season after his surgery got infected during the offseason.[43][44] On November 30, he was assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League on a rehab assignment.[45] He played for the Vipers that night, recording 16 points and five assists in 22 minutes against the Salt Lake City Stars,[46] before being recalled by the Rockets on December 1.[47][48] On December 13, he made his debut for the Rockets, recording one assist and one rebound in four minutes in a 126–111 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, marking his first game since February 15, 2017.[49] He played 12 games for the Rockets, with his final appearance coming on January 11 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.[50] He was sidelined in January due to left knee soreness.[51]

Cleveland Cavaliers (2019–2020)

[edit]

On February 7, 2019, Knight was acquired by the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade involving the Rockets and the Sacramento Kings.[52] He made his debut for the Cavaliers two days later, scoring nine points in just under 12 minutes off the bench in a 105–90 loss to the Indiana Pacers.[53]

Return to Detroit (2020)

[edit]

On February 6, 2020, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded Knight and John Henson, along with a 2023 second round draft pick, to the Detroit Pistons for Andre Drummond.[54]

Dallas Mavericks / Sioux Falls Skyforce (2021–2022)

[edit]

In March 2021, Knight worked out with the Milwaukee Bucks, his former team from the peak of his professional career.[55] Ultimately, the Bucks did not sign him. On August 3, 2021, Knight joined Brooklyn Nets for the 2021 NBA Summer League.[56] On October 16, he signed with the New York Knicks,[57] but was waived the same day.[58]

On October 23, 2021, Knight was selected by the Sioux Falls Skyforce sixth overall in the 2021 NBA G League draft.[59] In 11 games, he averaged 21.3 points, 5.5 assists, and 4.6 rebounds in 38.0 minutes, while making 3.2 three-pointers per game at a 35.7% rate.[60]

On December 23, 2021, Knight signed a 10-day contract with the Dallas Mavericks,[60] and on January 14, 2022, he was reacquired by Sioux Falls after the 10-day deal expired.[61] On March 29, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Mavericks.[62]

Piratas de Quebradillas (2023–2024)

[edit]

On March 14, 2023, Knight signed with the Piratas de Quebradillas of the Baloncesto Superior Nacional.[63] He was later named the 2023 BSN Most Valuable Player Award and the 2023 BSN Scoring Champion with averages of 24.4 points, 5.2 assists, and 3.2 threes per game.[64][65]

Career statistics

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Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
 *  Led the league

NBA

[edit]

Regular season

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011–12 Detroit 66* 60 32.3 .415 .380 .759 3.2 3.8 .7 .2 12.8
2012–13 Detroit 75 75 31.5 .407 .367 .733 3.3 4.0 .8 .1 13.3
2013–14 Milwaukee 72 69 33.3 .422 .325 .802 3.5 4.9 1.0 .2 17.9
2014–15 Milwaukee 52 52 32.5 .435 .409 .881 4.3 5.4 1.6 .2 17.8
Phoenix 11 9 31.5 .357 .313 .828 2.1 4.5 .5 .1 13.4
2015–16 Phoenix 52 50 36.0 .415 .342 .852 3.9 5.1 1.2 .4 19.6
2016–17 Phoenix 54 5 21.1 .398 .324 .857 2.2 2.4 .5 .1 11.0
2018–19 Houston 12 0 9.8 .234 .156 .818 .8 .8 .2 .0 3.0
Cleveland 27 26 22.9 .413 .371 .783 1.9 2.3 .7 .1 8.5
2019–20 Cleveland 16 0 15.1 .326 .297 .308 1.3 1.9 .3 .1 4.9
Detroit 9 3 24.6 .383 .238 .762 2.3 4.2 .6 .1 11.6
2021–22 Dallas 5 0 13.0 .400 .235 1.000 1.6 1.6 .2 .0 6.4
Career 451 349 29.3 .411 .352 .807 3.1 3.9 .9 .2 14.0

College

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2010–11 Kentucky 38 38 35.9 .423 .377 .795 4.0 4.2 .7 .2 17.3

Personal life

[edit]

Knight is the son of Efrem and Tonya Knight.[3]

Knight is a Christian.[66][67]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Bucks hold off struggling Heat, 91–84". ESPN. November 16, 2014. Retrieved November 15, 2018. Brandon Knight looked right at home. Makes sense, considering he was born in Miami.
  2. ^ Winkeljohn, Matt (November 12, 2009). "Knight known for academics, athletics". ESPN. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Bio for Brandon Knight". ukathletics.com. Archived from the original on September 16, 2016.
  4. ^ Cabrera Chirinos, Christy (March 24, 2010). "Brandon Knight receives Mr. Florida basketball award". Sun-Sentinel. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  5. ^ Wursthorn, Michael (April 14, 2010). "Kentucky's John Calipari wins big with verbal commitments from Brandon Knight and Michael Gilchrist". Daily News. New York. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  6. ^ "Knight Financial Aid Offer vs. Letter of Intent". nationofblue.com. April 17, 2010. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  7. ^ Tipton, Jerry (December 26, 2010). "Brandon Knight's parents gave him options". kentucky.com. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Brandon Knight entering NBA draft". ESPN. April 21, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  9. ^ a b c "Pistons Select Brandon Knight with the Eighth Pick in the NBA Draft". National Basketball Association. June 23, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  10. ^ "Brandon Knight Named to NBA All-Rookie First Team". National Basketball Association. May 22, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  11. ^ "Brandon Knight Career Stats - NBA". ESPN. Retrieved February 20, 2024.
  12. ^ "Bucks Acquire Knight, Middleton and Kravtsov from Pistons". National Basketball Association. July 31, 2013. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  13. ^ a b Reed, Truman (May 27, 2014). "Review, Preview". National Basketball Association. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  14. ^ "Milwaukee Bucks at Cleveland Cavaliers Box Score". Basketball-Reference. December 20, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
  15. ^ "Bucks send Lakers to sixth straight loss". ESPN. December 31, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  16. ^ "Milwaukee Bucks at Brooklyn Nets Box Score". Basketball-Reference. November 19, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  17. ^ "New York Knicks at Milwaukee Bucks Box Score". Basketball-Reference. January 15, 2015. Retrieved January 15, 2015.
  18. ^ a b "Suns Acquire Brandon Knight in Three-Team Trade". National Basketball Association. February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  19. ^ Freeman, Eric (March 9, 2015). "Brandon Knight leaves Suns-Warriors with sprained ankle, does not return". Yahoo!. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  20. ^ Hughes, Grant (April 7, 2015). "Brandon Knight Is Latest Cautionary Tale for Late-Season NBA Rentals". BleacherReport.com. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  21. ^ "Knight Undergoes Arthroscopic Surgery on Left Ankle". National Basketball Association. April 18, 2015. Retrieved April 18, 2015.
  22. ^ "Suns Re-Sign Brandon Knight". National Basketball Association. July 17, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
  23. ^ "Brandon Knight agrees to five-year, $70M deal with Suns". ESPN. July 1, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  24. ^ "Knight, Bledsoe lead Suns past short-handed Clippers 118–104". National Basketball Association. November 12, 2015. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  25. ^ "Knight's triple-double lifts Suns to 120–101 win over Lakers". National Basketball Association. November 16, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  26. ^ Coro, Paul (November 16, 2015). "Suns finish off Lakers late as Brandon Knight posts first career triple-double". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  27. ^ Scott Howard [@ScottHoward42] (November 17, 2015). "Brandon Knight is the only player in the last 30 years, age 23 or under, to put up the line he put up last night" (Tweet). Retrieved November 17, 2015 – via Twitter.
  28. ^ "All-Star play from Bledsoe, Knight have Phoenix Suns rolling as young players contribute, team jells". BrightSideOfTheSun.com. November 18, 2015. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  29. ^ "Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets box score". National Basketball Association. November 18, 2015. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  30. ^ "Minnesota Timberwolves vs Phoenix Suns box score". National Basketball Association. December 13, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  31. ^ "Phoenix Suns vs Denver Nuggets box score". National Basketball Association. March 10, 2016. Retrieved March 10, 2016.
  32. ^ "Phoenix Suns vs Golden State Warriors box score". National Basketball Association. March 12, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  33. ^ "Phoenix Suns vs Minnesota Timberwolves box score". National Basketball Association. March 28, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
  34. ^ Coro, Paul (April 3, 2016). "Phoenix Suns' Brandon Knight done for season; surgery possible". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved April 3, 2016.
  35. ^ "Brandon Knight Surgery Update". National Basketball Association. April 8, 2016. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  36. ^ "Brandon Knight 2016–17 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 23, 2021.
  37. ^ "Report: Phoenix Suns will sit Brandon Knight for rest of season". National Basketball Association. March 17, 2017. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
  38. ^ Cunningham, Cody (July 25, 2017). "Brandon Knight Injury Update". National Basketball Association. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  39. ^ "Brandon Knight Surgery Update". National Basketball Association. August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  40. ^ "Suns guard Brandon Knight undergoes surgery for torn ACL". ArizonaSports.com. August 25, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2017.
  41. ^ "Rockets Complete Four Player Trade with Suns". National Basketball Association. August 31, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  42. ^ Bordow, Scott (July 5, 2018). "Phoenix Suns point guard Brandon Knight has chance to rehabilitate his career". The Arizona Republic. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  43. ^ Feigen, Jonathan (September 24, 2018). "Rockets' Brandon Knight to miss at least the preseason". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  44. ^ Fitzpatrick, Sean (November 13, 2018). "Brandon Knight (knee) remains out indefintely [sic]". FantasyPros.com. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  45. ^ "Rockets' Brandon Knight: Assigned to G League". CBSSports.com. November 30, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  46. ^ "Stars Stun Vipers With Huge Closing Run". National Basketball Association. November 30, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  47. ^ "Rockets' Brandon Knight: Recalled from G League". CBSSports.com. December 1, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  48. ^ Feigen, Jonathan (December 1, 2018). "Rockets recall Brandon Knight from G League". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  49. ^ "Harden's 50-point triple-double leads Rockets over Lakers". ESPN. December 13, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  50. ^ "Brandon Knight 2018–19 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  51. ^ "Harden scores 35 in Rockets' 121–119 win over Raptors". ESPN. January 25, 2019. Retrieved January 25, 2019. Brandon Knight missed his seventh straight game with a sore left knee, but is expected to return Sunday.
  52. ^ "Cavs Acquire Brandon Knight, Marquese Chriss Plus Picks in Three-Team Trade". National Basketball Association. February 7, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  53. ^ "Pacers Jump Out Early, Pull Away Late". National Basketball Association. February 9, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  54. ^ "Detroit Pistons Acquire Brandon Knight, John Henson And Future Second Round Pick". National Basketball Association. February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  55. ^ "Milwaukee Bucks Rumors: Recently worked out free agent Brandon Knight?". BehindTheBuckPass. March 28, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021.
  56. ^ "Brooklyn Nets announce summer league roster". NBA.com. August 3, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
  57. ^ "Knicks Sign Brandon Knight". NBA.com. October 16, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  58. ^ "Knicks Waive Brandon Knight, Aamir Simms and M.J. Walker". NBA.com. October 16, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  59. ^ "2021 NBA G League Draft Board". NBA.com. October 23, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2021.
  60. ^ a b Mavs PR [@MavsPR] (December 23, 2021). "The Dallas Mavericks have signed guard Brandon Knight to a 10-day contract under the COVID-related hardship allowance. Knight will wear #20 for Dallas" (Tweet). Retrieved December 23, 2021 – via Twitter.
  61. ^ "SKYFORCE ACQUIRES TWO-TIME NBA CHAMPION MARIO CHALMERS". NBA.com. January 14, 2022. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  62. ^ Mavs PR [@MavsPR] (March 29, 2022). "The Dallas Mavericks have signed Brandon Knight to a second 10-day contract under the COVID-related hardship allowance. Knight signed a 10-day contract on Dec. 23 and played in three games for Dallas. He averaged 10.0 points and 2.7 assists per game. Knight will wear #20" (Tweet). Retrieved March 29, 2022 – via Twitter.
  63. ^ "Hassan Whiteside, Brandon Knight sign with Puerto Rican team". HoopsHype. March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  64. ^ "Brandon Knight es el MVP Seguros Multiples 2023". Baloncesto Superior Nacional. BSN. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  65. ^ "Serie Regular". Baloncesto Superior Nacional. Retrieved August 8, 2023.
  66. ^ Brandon Knight [@Goodknight11] (July 10, 2012). "Amen RT @CV31: "I can do all through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  67. ^ "Vaught's Views: Family friend says Knight has his priorities straight". Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
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