“I had my fair opportunity; didn’t make the best of it, unfortunately.” Remember who the number 9 pick was six years ago? In case you have forgotten, it was Kevin Knox II. Instead of becoming a superstar, he unfortunately turned into another one of the Knicks’ failed experiments. But he is turning heads once again following his impressive run in Golden State. Well, the Warriors had to go through some drastic changes this summer. Obviously, the biggest one was the departure of Klay Thompson. But while Dub Nation was still dealing with the loss, they found something to cheer about as their team cruised through the Summer League. The man who led them? None other than Kevin Knox II.

Yes, the 25-year-old attracted a ton of eyeballs as he helped the Warriors reach the semi-final of the Summer League championship. Unfortunately, his impressive performance was not enough to get him a permanent contract from a team. As a result, Knox is still a free agent who could prove to be a huge asset for any franchise that signs him. But how did he go from being a top-ten pick to struggling to find a permanent stay in the league?

Kevin Knox II: Born into stardom, college and Team USA basketball career

While the NBA was preparing to step into the new century, a future star took his first breath in Phoenix, Arizona on August 11, 1999. And it just looked like Kevin was destined to become a pro athlete because of his father. Kevin Knox (they share the same name) was a football star for Florida State, and even briefly played as a wide receiver in the NFL. Sure enough, the athletic gene was passed on to the next generation as Kevin and his three siblings, Karter, Kobe, and Ashley, all grew up to become as talented as ever.

As Kevin Knox II got older, he attended Tampa Catholic High School, where he became an All-Conference player for 2 consecutive years. His impressive performances also got him a spot on Team USA where he bagged the FIBA U16 and U17 championships in 2015 and 2016. Boasting an impressive resume, he received offers from multiple colleges and eventually joined the Kentucky Wildcats. His game then translated brilliantly at the college level, as he averaged 15.6 points and over 5 rebounds as a freshman. Sure enough, the NBA came calling!

From the New York Knicks to getting waived by the Utah Jazz- Knox’s fall from grace

Just like most young stars do these days, Kevin Knox II decided to pick the one-and-done route and entered his name in the 2018 draft. The team that picked him? The Knicks at No. 9, hoping he would become their next big star. As expected, Knox had a hot start to his career playing for the historic franchise and he averaged 12.8 points as a rookie. He also showcased his rebounding skills and grabbed nearly 5 boards per night. But instead of taking a bigger leap next season, his performance began declining. He averaged only single-digit points as a sophomore.

Dealing with multiple ankle and quad injuries, he was unable to meet expectations and the Knicks eventually parted ways with him after 3 and a half seasons. Unfortunately for him, he has struggled to find his role in a team since then. His most recent contract was a one-year deal with the Pistons this past season. However, he got traded to the Jazz mid-season after playing only a handful of games in Detroit. Adding salt to his wound, he got waived soon after that trade. That means he averaged a mediocre 7.2 points last season.

Kevin Knox II’s Warriors Summer League performance: A career revival?

Yes, getting cut was a brutal hit for Knox. But he did not lose hope and joined the Rip City Remix to showcase his skills in the G League. And it was there that he finally regained his groove and averaged 22.6 points and nearly 9 rebounds in 11 games. Sure enough, teams took notice, including the Warriors, and he moved to the Bay Area to play in the Summer League. Then, during the California Classic and the Las Vegas tournament, he continued his dominance and helped the team go on a 7-1 run! However, the team’s dream run ended in the semi-final as the Miami Heat got the better of them in a thrilling matchup.

But Knox once again impressed the fans despite the team’s loss as he scored a game-high 31 points, coming off the bench. It was a highly efficient performance as he went 12 of 17 from the floor and hit 5 shots from deep range. Not only that, he also grabbed 11 rebounds and nearly got his team to the championship game. Although Knox is still a free agent, teams would be on the lookout to sign him before training camp begins, as he could be a solid off-the-bench player.

Showcasing his shooting and rebounding skills with the Warriors, he may soon sign a new deal with a team to play for the main roster. And maybe his impressive run this summer will allow him to revive his career and prove why he was the 9th pick in the draft just a few years ago.

Before leaving, do watch the Dual Threat Show hosted by BG12 where Bulldogs’ Asia Avinger details her experience with Kobe Bryant, her WNBA ROTY picks, and more in the video below.