CAMDEN, N.J. — Kevin Knox looked up at the banners towering over the Sixers practice court from the rafters as he made his way over to address the media.
“A lot of great guys, some of the best players of all-time, people that I look up to,” Knox said. “It’s good to look up there because that’s kind of where you want to be some day. So that’s what I'm working for.”
Knox is beginning his NBA journey projected lottery pick in next week’s draft. The Sixers, who hold the No. 10 pick, got a closer look at the 6-foot-9, 215-pound forward Friday in a group workout.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Philadelphia sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
“He walked into the gym, it’s not hard to see the intrigue with his size and mobility, his frame,” senior director of basketball operations Vince Rozman said. “He’s 18, so there’s a lot to develop from.”
Knox averaged a team-high 15.6 points along with 5.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 32.4 minutes last season at Kentucky. He was selected to the All-SEC First Team and named SEC Co-Freshman of the Year with Alabama guard Collin Sexton.
Knox shot 34.1 percent from three in college. He was focused on showcasing his range (see video below) and believes he made a positive impression on the Sixers.
“They’re really interested in me,” Knox said. “They love my game, they love the way I can shoot the ball. That’s something they really like to do is shoot a lot of threes. My versatility, being able to take guys off the dribble is something that would complement really well with Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. So that’s kind of the message they have for me, being able to come in with tenacity, play with fight, play with energy.
NBA
“That’s kind of how Philadelphia plays. They love guys that can really shoot the three, that’s something Brett Brown is really big on so that’s something I really came in to show today.”
A look at today’s Sixers workout, which included Kevin Knox and Jacob Evans: pic.twitter.com/5JiopqlUl9
When it comes to where he sees himself playing in the NBA, Knox is honing in on the small forward position. He discussed his potential fit when he met with Brown.
“I want to play the three,” Knox said. “That’s something that a lot of guys have me projected playing the three. Coach really liked that. He really wants me to play the three if I come here. So that’s kind of the mentality he wants me to have -- be able to come in and be able to guard threes, be able to take guys off the dribble, pick-and-roll and be able to shoot threes. That’s kind of the message he had for me.”
Knox has one workout remaining with the Hornets before draft night on June 21.
The Sixers also hosted Missouri forward Jordan Barnett, Cincinnati guard-forward Jacob Evans, Kentucky forward Wenyen Gabriel, Arizona State guard Tra Holder and Rhode Island guard E.C. Matthews in Friday’s workout. The team holds the 10th, 26th, 38th, 39th, 56th and 60th picks.