Brandon Knight (basketball)

Brandon Emmanuel Knight (born December 2, 1991) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association (NBA). 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 Rockets. At the 2019 trade deadline, he was traded to the Cavaliers before being traded back to the Pistons at the 2020 trade deadline.

Brandon Knight
Knight with the Cavaliers in April 2019
Personal information
Born (1991-12-02) December 2, 1991
Miami, Florida
NationalityAmerican
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 / Round: 1 / Pick: 8th overall
Selected by the Detroit Pistons
Playing career2011–2020
PositionPoint guard
Number7, 11, 3, 20
Career history
20112013Detroit Pistons
20132015Milwaukee Bucks
20152018Phoenix Suns
2018–2019Houston Rockets
20192020Cleveland Cavaliers
2020Detroit Pistons
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

High school career

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

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

Detroit Pistons (2011–2013)

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 was 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.

Milwaukee Bucks (2013–2015)

On July 31, 2013, Knight was traded, along with Khris Middleton and Viacheslav Kravtsov, to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Brandon Jennings.[11] 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.[12] On December 31, Knight scored a career-high 37 points in a 94–79 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.[13] 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.[12]

The 2014–15 season saw Knight enter the All-Star break as the team's leader in scoring and assists. Although most notably that year on November 19, Knight infamously missed a wide-open layup for the win in OT against the Brooklyn Nets. In 52 games at the All-Star break, he averaged 17.8 points, a career-high 5.4 assists, career-high 4.3 rebounds and career-high 1.6 steals, while shooting career highs of 43.5 percent from the field and 40.9 percent from three-point range.[14]

Phoenix Suns (2015–2018)

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.[14] He missed time in March with a left ankle injury,[15] before missing the conclusion of the season with a left heel bone bruise that required surgery.[16][17]

On July 17, 2015, Knight re-signed with the Suns to a five-year, $70 million contract.[18][19] On November 12, he tied his career high of 37 points in a 118–104 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.[20] Four days later, Knight recorded his first career triple-double with 30 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high 15 assists in a 120–101 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.[21] 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,[22] as well as the second player behind Magic Johnson to record such a line at 23 years old or younger.[23][24] On November 20, Knight set a new career high with 38 points in a 114–107 victory over the Denver Nuggets.[25] On December 13, he scored 25 points and hit a career-high seven 3-pointers in a 108–101 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves.[26] Knight missed time between late January and early March with a left adductor strain.[27] 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.[28] 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.[29] 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.[30] Five days later, he underwent successful surgery to treat the sports hernia.[31]

The 2016–17 season saw Knight play off the bench over the first half of the season before being shut down despite being healthy over the second half of the season.[32][33] 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.[34][35][36]

Houston Rockets (2018–2019)

On August 31, 2018, Knight was traded, alongside Marquese Chriss, to the Houston Rockets in exchange for Ryan Anderson and De'Anthony Melton.[37] Despite looking to rehabilitate his career in 2018–19,[38] Knight was ruled out indefinitely prior to the season after his surgery got infected during the offseason.[39][40] On November 30, he was assigned to the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA G League on a rehab assignment.[41] He played for the Vipers that night, recording 16 points and five assists in 22 minutes against the Salt Lake City Stars,[42] before being recalled by the Rockets on December 1.[43][44] 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.[45] He played 12 games for the Rockets, with his final appearance coming on January 11 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.[46] He was sidelined in January due to left knee soreness.[47]

Cleveland Cavaliers (2019–2020)

On February 7, 2019, Knight was acquired by the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade involving the Rockets and the Sacramento Kings.[48] 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.[49]

Return to Detroit (2020)

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.[50]

Career statistics

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

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2011–12 Detroit 666032.3.415.380.7593.23.8.7.212.8
2012–13 Detroit 757531.5.407.367.7333.34.0.8.113.3
2013–14 Milwaukee 726933.3.422.325.8023.54.91.0.217.9
2014–15 Milwaukee 525232.5.435.409.8814.35.41.6.217.8
2014–15 Phoenix 11931.5.357.313.8282.14.5.5.113.4
2015–16 Phoenix 525036.0.415.342.8523.95.11.2.419.6
2016–17 Phoenix 54521.1.398.324.8572.22.4.5.111.0
2018–19 Houston 1209.8.234.156.818.8.8.2.03.0
2018–19 Cleveland 272622.9.413.371.7831.92.3.7.18.5
2019–20 Cleveland 16015.1.326.297.3081.31.9.3.14.9
2019–20 Detroit 9324.6.383.238.7622.34.2.6.111.6
Career 44634929.5.411.353.8063.14.0.9.214.1

College

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2010–11 Kentucky 383835.9.423.377.7954.04.2.7.217.3

Personal life

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

Knight is a Christian.[51][52]

References

  1. "Bucks hold off struggling Heat, 91-84". ESPN.com. 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.com. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  3. "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.com. 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". nydailynews.com. 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. "Brandon Knight entering NBA draft". ESPN.com. April 21, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  9. "Pistons Select Brandon Knight with the Eighth Pick in the NBA Draft". NBA.com. June 23, 2011. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  10. "Brandon Knight Named to NBA All-Rookie First Team". NBA.com. May 22, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  11. "Bucks Acquire Knight, Middleton and Kravtsov from Pistons". NBA.com. July 31, 2013. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  12. Reed, Truman (May 27, 2014). "Review, Preview". NBA.com. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  13. "Bucks send Lakers to sixth straight loss". ESPN.com. December 31, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  14. "Suns Acquire Brandon Knight in Three-Team Trade". NBA.com. February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
  15. Brandon Knight leaves Suns-Warriors with sprained ankle, does not return
  16. Brandon Knight Is Latest Cautionary Tale for Late-Season NBA Rentals
  17. Knight Undergoes Arthroscopic Surgery on Left Ankle
  18. "Suns Re-Sign Brandon Knight". NBA.com. July 17, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
  19. "Brandon Knight agrees to five-year, $70M deal with Suns". ESPN.com. July 1, 2015. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  20. "Knight, Bledsoe lead Suns past short-handed Clippers 118-104". NBA.com. November 12, 2015. Retrieved November 13, 2015.
  21. "Knight's triple-double lifts Suns to 120-101 win over Lakers". NBA.com. November 16, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  22. Coro, Paul (November 16, 2015). "Suns finish off Lakers late as Brandon Knight posts first career triple-double". azcentral.com. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  23. Brandon Knight is the only player in the last...
  24. All-Star play from Bledsoe, Knight have Phoenix Suns rolling as young players contribute, team jells
  25. Knight scores 38 as Suns rally to beat Nuggets 114-107
  26. Knight's 25 points lead Suns over Timberwolves 108-101
  27. Mudiay's 30 points lead Nuggets overs Suns, 116-98
  28. Curry's big fourth quarter rallies Warriors past Suns
  29. Wiggins, Wolves hold off late charge by Suns in 121-116 win
  30. Phoenix Suns' Brandon Knight done for season; surgery possible
  31. Brandon Knight Surgery Update
  32. Brandon Knight 2016-17 Game Log
  33. Report: Phoenix Suns will sit Brandon Knight for rest of season
  34. Brandon Knight Injury Update
  35. Brandon Knight Surgery Update
  36. Suns guard Brandon Knight undergoes surgery for torn ACL
  37. "Rockets Complete Four Player Trade with Suns". NBA.com. August 31, 2018. Retrieved August 31, 2018.
  38. Bordow, Scott (July 5, 2018). "Phoenix Suns point guard Brandon Knight has chance to rehabilitate his career". azcentral.com. Retrieved July 5, 2018.
  39. Feigen, Jonathan (September 24, 2018). "Rockets' Brandon Knight to miss at least the preseason". Chron.com. Retrieved September 26, 2018.
  40. Fitzpatrick, Sean (November 13, 2018). "Brandon Knight (knee) remains out indefintely". fantasypros.com. Retrieved November 15, 2018.
  41. "Rockets' Brandon Knight: Assigned to G League". cbssports.com. November 30, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  42. "Stars Stun Vipers With Huge Closing Run". NBA.com. November 30, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  43. "Rockets' Brandon Knight: Recalled from G League". cbssports.com. December 1, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  44. Feigen, Jonathan (December 1, 2018). "Rockets recall Brandon Knight from G League". Chron.com. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
  45. "Harden's 50-point triple-double leads Rockets over Lakers". ESPN.com. December 13, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  46. "Brandon Knight 2018-19 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  47. "Harden scores 35 in Rockets' 121-119 win over Raptors". ESPN.com. 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.
  48. "Cavs Acquire Brandon Knight, Marquese Chriss Plus Picks in Three-Team Trade". NBA.com. February 7, 2019. Retrieved February 7, 2019.
  49. "Pacers Jump Out Early, Pull Away Late". NBA.com. February 9, 2019. Retrieved February 10, 2019.
  50. "Detroit Pistons Acquire Brandon Knight, John Henson And Future Second Round Pick". NBA.com. February 6, 2020. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  51. Brandon Knight [@Goodknight11] (July 10, 2012). "Amen RT @CV31: "I can do all through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  52. "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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