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Knox to the rescue at UNC
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By Jason King
October 20, 2010
Chapel Hill, NC — Upon learning that a new player had been signed to help him in the frontcourt, North Carolina forward John Henson flipped open his laptop last summer to do some research.
Turned out to be a waste of time.
“I went to YouTube and typed in ‘Justin Knox,’” Henson said, “but nothing popped up.”
That’s not to say Knox didn’t have his share of bright moments during his three-year career at Alabama. Hype and exposure, though, are often rare for players stuck in struggling programs – especially one where fans begin buzzing about spring football in January and February.
The situation frustrated Knox. By the end of his junior season, he’d had enough.
“We weren’t very successful over the years,” Knox said. “It just didn’t seem like it was getting any better. I felt like I had to leave.”
North Carolina is glad he did.
The 6-foot-9, 240-pound Knox, who transferred to UNC over the summer, is expected to play a vital role for a Tar Heels squad that is looking to bounce back from a dreadful 2009-10. Roy Williams’ team finished 20-17 and failed to make the NCAA tournament.
Before Knox’s arrival in August the Tar Heels were dangerously thin in the paint. North Carolina lost standout Ed Davis to the NBA draft and veteran Deon Thompson to graduation.
Even then, Williams thought his team would have decent depth down low, but he was caught off guard when twins David and Travis Wear transferred to UCLA at the end of last semester.
“[Henson] and I started texting each other,” said Tyler Zeller, the Tar Heels’ other starting forward. “We were like, ‘Man, we can’t get hurt at all. We can’t even come out of the game.’”
Williams had other ideas.
Around that time, Williams heard through the media that Knox was leaving Alabama. A few phone calls and an official visit later, Knox had signed on to play his final college season in Chapel Hill.
Knox is the first scholarship player to transfer into the program since Makhtar Ndiaye left Michigan to play for Dean Smith and Bill Guthridge from 1996-98.
“There wasn’t a heck of a lot of choices,” Williams said. “Guys like that don’t go walking up and down the street in front of your door all the time.”
Knox earned his degree in three years at Alabama. He transferred to North Carolina as a graduate student, which means he’ll be eligible to play immediately. Folks in Chapel Hill won’t be shocked if Knox sees 18-20 minutes of action per game off the bench in relief of starters Henson and Zeller.
“It’s pretty exciting,” Knox said, “because I realize the great opportunity I have because of the great North Carolina program and the traditions. Most of our games are on TV. It’s going to be pretty prime-time every time we step on the court.”
Knox has already seen examples of the increased exposure and attention he’ll receive as a member of one of nation’s most high-profile programs. He plopped down in a chair at North Carolina’s media day last week and was immediately surrounded by about 15 reporters.
“I’ve never had anything like that before,” Knox said. “[At Alabama], it was like one or two reporters. I’m kind of overwhelmed right now.”
Knox, though, kept his composure – which is what the Tar Heels hope he can do on the court.
Even though he averaged just five points in 83 career games at Alabama, Knox was attractive to Williams because of his chiseled, athletic frame and his fearlessness when it comes to banging down low. Williams said he watched film of six potential transfers after the Wear twins announced they were leaving school. After viewing just two game tapes of Knox, he knew he’d found his guy.
Knox also considered signing with Georgia Tech, which lost Gani Lawal and Derrick Favors to last summer’s draft. But the chance to play a significant role for one of the country’s elite programs was impossible to pass up.
“It’s an opportunity I’m not going to waste,” Knox said.
Even before he arrived in Chapel Hill, Knox had demonstrated his strong work ethic to his new teammates. While the rest the Tar Heels were enjoying a trip to the Bahamas for a few easy exhibition games, Knox remained in Tuscaloosa, where he took the final load of upper-level business courses he needed to earn his undergraduate degree.
If Knox had failed even one of those courses, he would’ve had to sit out a year at North Carolina before becoming eligible.
“It was a tough summer for me,” Knox said, “but I’m glad I’m here now.”
Knox, who averaged 6.3 points in 19.8 minutes per game last season, said his versatility is his biggest attribute.
“He’s good – he’s real good,” Henson said. “I’d never seen him play, but he came in and fit in just fine with us. He’s going to help us out a lot this year. He rebounds, he plays good post defense and he’s got a nice back-to-the-basket game. He surprised me. I think he’s going to be in there in the thick of things just like me, so it’s going to be fun.”
Knox is hoping the increased exposure he receives will enhance his chances to play professionally after this season. Not that he’s looking that far ahead.
“It’s my last year,” he said, “so I’m pretty much going to go all out.”
• NCAA Basketball News Archive Index:
2010, 2009
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