Karter Knox Wants to Win a National Championship at Kentucky, Be a Top-10 Draft Pick
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Karter Knox, the newest commit in Kentucky’s 2024 recruiting class, has two key goals for his time in Lexington: he wants to win a national championship and be a top-10 NBA Draft pick.
The 6-foot-6, 211-pound small forward from Overtime Elite (Atlanta, GA) did an Instagram Live Q&A on Monday following his commitment. He addressed topics ranging from his reasons for committing, his goals at Kentucky, what number he’ll wear, and his overall journey.
“Go there, hoop, win a national championship, top-10 [draft pick],” Knox said. “That’s the goal right there.”
Knox’s older brother, Kevin Knox, spent the 2017-18 season at Kentucky before going on to become the No. 9 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft. Now, Karter wants to make sure he’s drafted even higher than his older brother.
“It definitely means something,” Knox said. “He went to Kentucky and did pretty good. He was a top-10 draft pick. I want to do better than him and get drafted before him.”
RWE Still Alive in the OTE Finals
Before Karter Knox looks to win an NCAA National Title, he wants to win one at Overtime Elite. Knox announced his commitment to Kentucky at halftime of RWE’s game against the City Reapers in Game 2 of the OTE Finals. Unfortunately for Knox, the night didn’t end as he hoped. His RWE team lost 85-82 to the City Reapers as he missed the game-tying shot with just a few seconds remaining.
RWE isn’t out of it just yet. Saturday’s loss tied the best-of-five finals series at 1-1. Game Three is on Thursday, Game Four is on Friday, and Game Five will be on Sunday, if necessary.
Knox is averaging 24.0 points on 43.6 percent shooting through six playoff games. He’s also averaging six rebounds and one block in 30.7 minutes per game.
Karter Knox and Somto Cyril Sticking Together
Karter Knox will have at least one familiar teammate at Kentucky next year. Knox’s current RWE running mate Somto Cyril has been committed to Kentucky since June of 2023 and played a role in Knox’s eventual commitment.
“Somto lowkey did play a factor,” Knox said. “He’s a great person off the court. On the court, he’s just dominant. It’s always good playing with him.”
Knox is also looking to keep another thing the same at Kentucky next season: his jersey number. Knox currently wears No. 21 at Overtime Elite with RWE and hopes he can keep that number at Kentucky. If not, he’s open to wearing No. 11.
On the court, Knox is excited to play in the dribble-drive system at Kentucky. His impact will be felt among a top-two recruiting class in the country.
“Everybody is going to touch it,” he said. “Score defend make players for my teammates – it’s all set for me. I just have to execute, put the work in.”
Knox Excited to Play for ‘One of the Greatest Coaches of All Time’
It’s safe to say Kevin Knox did pretty well in his one season under John Calipari. Getting to play under a Hall-of-Fame coach isn’t something Karter Knox takes lightly.
“When you’re playing for one of the greatest coaches of all time in college basketball it means something,” he said.
Knox has been able to watch a lot of Kentucky games this season. He caught UK’s most recent win over Tennessee in Knoxville on TV. His highlight this season, however, was his official visit to Lexington in January. During that trip, he was able to attend Kentucky’s Jan. 20 win over Georgia, where 7-foot-2 freshman Zvonimir Ivisic made his college debut.
“It was crazy,” Knox said. “That’s when he did the behind-the-back pass, hit all those threes. It was nuts.”
Knox feels that his numerous times attending games at Rupp Arena will help him in front of the bright lights when he suits up next season. He believes he’ll be unfazed.
“Since I’ve already been there and felt the crowd experience, I feel like it’s going to be a regular day in the gym,” he said. “I’ve been there so many times. I’m going to be comfortable. I know my way around the arena, the practice gym. I know where to go. I’ve been there so many times.”
Karter Knox’s Favorite UK Player of All Time (Besides Kevin)
Everyone knows who Karter Knox’s favorite Kentucky player of all time is; that honor has to go to his older brother Kevin. However, when asked to choose a favorite non-relative Kentucky player of all time, Knox opted for one current and one former Wildcat.
“Devin Booker or Rob Dillingham,” Knox said. “DJ is a sleeper too.”
Dillingham and Knox have a lot in common. Most notably, both players have taken the Overtime Elite path to prepare them for Kentucky.
“I know Rob,” Knox said. “I spoke to him on my visit. He was telling me, ‘Coach Cal will send you to the league. This ain’t no joke. Kentucky, they develop guys over here.'”
At the end of the day, Knox knew every option on the table was a good one. His mother even told him that.
“My mother told me I can’t make a bad decision,” he said. “Wherever you go, you’ll go first round.”
