Following the selection of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander at #12, another Kentucky freshman comes off the board at #13, as Kevin Knox beat out Troy Brown Jr. by receiving 35% of the vote. Knox is arguably the fastest riser of the draft process, with some publications now indicating he may end somewhere in the top-10. He reportedly dominated his group workout with the Sixers Friday, and has been drawing rave reviews in similar situations these past couple weeks.

A high ceiling is an alluring draw when he comes to Knox, as he won’t even turn 19 until August. If you’re keeping score at home, that’s a full 3 years younger than Mikal Bridges. During his freshman season in Lexington, Knox averaged 15.6 points and 5.4 rebounds, shooting 34.1% from three and 77.4% from the free throw line.

Standing 6’9” with a 6’11.75” wingspan, Knox was usually taller than whoever he was operating against on the perimeter, allowing him to get his shot off at will. Despite the average percentages, his shooting form is solid, and talent evaulators are intrigued that Knox can shoot from behind the arc, pull up from the midrange out of the pick-and-roll, and finish strong around the rim.

On the other end of the floor, people are hoping his physical attributes will provide a base for some coaching staff to mold Knox into a solid defender. On the court, he hasn’t displayed much defensive commitment, or provided much in the way of deflections or rim protection. Knox would probably be best served as a smallball four, but he would have to greatly improve on the boards for that to work.

Knox is not among the safest picks in the draft. There’s a possibility he never perks up enough defensively to not be a minus on that end of the court. On the other hand, the prospect of a 6’9” forward who can score from anywhere on the floor is a tantalizing proposition, one some team will find too hard to ignore as the lottery progresses.

We’ll be wrapping up our Big Board with #14 (signifying the end of the lottery). Vote for the last player to make the list.

Liberty Ballers Community Big Board:

1. Luka Dončić - PG/SG, Real Madrid
2. DeAndre Ayton - C, Arizona
3. Jaren Jackson Jr. - PF/C, Michigan State
4. Marvin Bagley III - PF, Duke
5. Michael Porter Jr. - F, Missouri
6. Mo Bamba - C, Texas
7. Trae Young - PG, Oklahoma
8. Mikal Bridges, SF, Villanova
9. Wendell Carter Jr., PF/C, Duke
10. Miles Bridges, F, Michigan State
11. Lonnie Walker, SG, Miami
12. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G, Kentucky
13. Kevin Knox, F, Kentucky
14. To be determined