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Karter Knox’s Father Discusses Status of His Recruitment

Published

3 years ago

on

UK Athletics

Karter Knox is a five-star wing in the class of 2024. If the last name sounds familar, he is the younger brother of former Kentucky Wildcat, Kevin Knox Jr., who was a one-and-done for Kentucky Wildcats back in the 2017-18 season.

Karter is currently the 8th ranked recruit in the 2024 class according to 247Sports Composite ranking. The 6-foot-5, 205-pound small forward just finished his junior season at Tampa Catholic high school, averaging 19.8 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.2 blocked shots.

Along with his older brother, Kevin Jr., Karter comes from a family of the athletically inclined. Karter’s father, Kevin Sr., played football at Florida State for Bobby Bowden, and he has another older brother who is also playing college basketball at Grand Canyon.

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Recently, David Sisk of CatsIllustrated caught up with Kevin Sr. for an interview on Karter’s recruitment

Kevin Knox Sr. answers questions about Karter’s recruitment

When asked what type of role he and the coaches recruiting him envisioned for Karter, he said, “They see him as a two/three. A two/three is basically a wing. He is a very dynamic individual in the open court. He is very explosive.”

On Karter’s size and physicality, he adds, “It goes with what Cal [John Calipari] likes, and things of that nature. When you get those individuals who like contact, and they can be very explosive and dunk on you, finish through contact, and be able to shoot the three you can keep the defender off balance when you have that type of balance.”

“When you have those back-alley brawls you need to go out and recruit people who are brawlers,” Knox says about playing in the SEC. “Cal is very particular, because obviously Kevin went there I know a lot of the things that he is expecting: 94 feet, picking up defense, trying to apply that pressure, wanting people to basically fight. Not literally fighting, but mentally and physically being in elite shape and just grinding out to get that W, because that’s the league that you’re in. That is the one thing when people think about Karter Knox they think about that individual that doesn’t mind the contact, doesn’t mind the defense, doesn’t mind to go up in help and get that blocked shot, doesn’t mind taking a charge, doing whatever it takes to get a W.”

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When Knox was asked about their relationship with Kentucky, he explained there is a family feel there, but it will be up to Calipari to recruit Karter.

“One thing that Kentucky talks about is family. To Karter that is like Uncle Cal. What Cal was able to do for Kevin, and for our family we are very grateful,” Knox says. “It was a true blessing to go to Kentucky and be a part of the BBN coached by John Calipari. Like I told him it’s your job. You’ve got to recruit Karter Knox to let him know he feels comfortable here being a part of the family, and trying to bring home the next national championship, something that has alluded Cal. That’s what we’re all about. Karter is all about winning a national championship. He’s got one more year to win a state championship onto trying to win a national championship.”

Kevin Sr. says that Karter is narrowing down his list of schools soon.

“He’s going to release a top eight coming out real soon. Some of the obvious ones you talk about Kentucky, Kenny Payne and Louisville, LSU, Bill Self at Kansas, Florida State with Leonard Hamilton, Auburn, Arkansas (Eric) Musselman have reached out quite a bit. They are really getting involved quite a bit. They’ve got a lot of freshmen that are probably going to be drafted, and leading into the draft.”

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In his junior season, Karter has taken two official visits – Kentucky and Louisville.

“Obviously, we had an official visit as a junior with Kentucky and Louisville. We are looking to get some of those other schools involved as well, and hear what they have to offer.”

Access the full interview, here.

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BB Recruiting

Kentucky Is in Daily Contact with Five-Star Big Man Darius Wabbington, “Kentucky’s legacy is no joke”

Published

3 weeks ago

on

July 2, 2026

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Five-star big man Darius Wabbington lists Kentucky among six finalists, praising Mark Pope's coaching, Kentucky's program prestige, and Mo Williams' recruiting energy.
Team USA

As the high school basketball circuits conclude later this month, college basketball coaches are starting to key in on their primary targets for the 2027 class. For Kentucky, one such player is five-star big man Darius Wabbington.

Kentucky assistants Cody Fueger and Mo Williams have been in contact with Wabbington on a daily basis, trying to convince him that Kentucky is the place for him. When asked about Williams, the newest coach on the UK staff, “Great energy,” Wabbington exclaimed. “Another extremely smart coach who knows what it takes to get to the next level.”

Since joining the staff in April, Williams has really made a difference for the Wildcats on the recruiting trail, with multiple prospects having positive things to say about him and his recruiting approach.

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As for what Wabbington is looking for in his future school, he is prioritizing fit and his relationship with the coaching staff, and he has a positive view of Mark Pope and the prestige of Kentucky basketball.

“I think Mark Pope is one of the best coaches in the country, and Kentucky’s legacy is no joke. I’d love to be a part of both”

The two sides are working on setting up a visit, as Kentucky was announced as one of six finalists earlier this week, along with Arizona, Texas, Louisville, Indiana, and North Carolina.

In June, Mark Pope got a commitment from top-ten prospect, Ryan Hampton, who Wabbington calls “my guy,” and could begin recruiting him to join him in Lexington.

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Kentucky Basketball Receives Prediction to Land International Star Nikola Kusturica

Published

1 month ago

on

June 17, 2026

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Kentucky basketball has taken over as the favorite for Serbian star Nikola Kusturica, a projected lottery pick in 2028, with a prediction backing the Wildcats.

Just when many believed Kentucky’s roster was complete in terms of contributing players, Mark Pope might have an ace up his sleeve.

Last week, it was reported that Kentucky was among the frontrunners to land 6-foot-8 Serbian wing Nikola Kusturica. At the time, Gonzaga was thought to be the team to beat, having a more defined role to offer, compared to Kentucky, who has one remaining roster spot and a good amount of depth in wing positions.

Since then, things have shifted in a big way.

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Gonzaga received a commitment from 18-year-old French guard Juwan Ekanga-Ehawa on Sunday. By Tuesday night, the Wildcats received a Crystal Ball prediction from 247Sports’ Travis Branham to land Kusturica, with a confidence level of 7 out of 10.

The 6-foot-8 wing currently plays for FC Barcelona in Spain’s Liga ACB and EuroLeague system. He just turned 17 years old and is reportedly seeking a two-year college opportunity before becoming draft-eligible in 2028, where he is already being projected as a lottery pick.

The on-court résumé speaks for itself. In the 2025 FIBA U16 EuroBasket, he averaged 20 points, 7.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.1 steals, and 1.6 blocks per game while leading Serbia to a championship and was named tournament MVP. He also helped Barcelona capture the Adidas NextGen Finals championship last month, posting 20 points and 10 rebounds in the title game against Real Madrid.

Next, Kusturica will represent Serbia in the FIBA U17 World Cup from June 27 to July 5, and a college decision could come before then.

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Mark Pope is carrying a lot of momentum in recent weeks after retaining Malachi Moreno and adding Milan Momcilovic to this season’s roster, as well as landing the first top 10 prospect of his career in Ryan Hampton. If he can close on Kusturica, that would cap off the roster in a significant way and continue to change the narrative around his recruiting ability.

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BB Recruiting

Kentucky Earns Commitment From No. 6 Prospect in 2027 Class Ryan Hampton

Published

2 months ago

on

June 7, 2026

By

Photo via UK Athletics


How about a Sunday boom in the recruiting world for you BBN? 

Ryan Hampton, the No. 6 overall prospect in the 2027 class, has officially committed to the University of Kentucky! This is Mark Pope’s first top-10 prospect that he’s earned a commitment from.

Hailing from Rockwall, Texas, Hampton recently took an official visit to campus with his family, which began on Friday, June 5 and spilled into Sunday, June 7, his commitment day. 

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The five-star wing averaged 21.7 points and 5.9 rebounds per game during the most recent EYBL Circuit, playing for LivOn and Nightrydas.

Hampton was the first recruit in the 2027 to officially visit with the Wildcats, and now he’s the first to call their shot early and choose the blue and white. 

Pope has signed Milan Momcilovic, the No. 2 ranked transfer, and Hampton, his first top-10 high school prospect just in the past week.

It’s been a crazy week for recruiting, with the narrative around Pope’s ability slowing fading as the top guys continue to be attracted to the Kentucky brand. 

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