Prospect Spotlight – Dayvion McKnight (2020)
Collins is home to two of our top 5 players in our 2020 class rankings. Last week we featured guard Marcellus Vail and this week we take a look at his backcourt mate Dayvion McKnight. Dayvion is our highest ranked point guard in the Junior class and one of only 3 prospects in the class with a D1 offer right now. McKnight is a 6’1 left handed point guard who is at his best in the open floor while pushing the break. He described his game “I play very aggressive. I can pass and create space for my shot. I’m becoming a better shooter, especially the pull up three.” Coming off a Sophomore season where he averaged 12.3 points and 8.3 rebounds while starting every game, Dayvion looks to improve even more on those numbers as a Junior for the Titans.
McKnight played his 16u AAU season this year with M.A.T.T.S. Mustangs and had a strong season. Dayvion started and played every game and averaged over 14 points and 8 rebounds along with 6 assists per game and caught the eyes of dozen of Division I coaches. Dayvion was offered by Winthrop from the Big South Conference and Kentucky State at the NAIA level. He will also take a visit to Western Kentucky this month and it would not be a surprise if Coach Stansbury pulled the trigger on an offer after being at several of the Mustangs 16u games in July. Dayvion said the biggest takeaway from his AAU season is that he needs to consistently push the ball and not let up with the pace of the game`.
Looking ahead to the high school season, Dayvion had a very short answer when I asked what his goals for the season are, “State” is all he said. Collins Coach Chris Gaither shares that same goal and is very high on Dayvion as a player and a person, “Dayvion is a special player. He brings a combination of the talent and hard work needed to reach someone’s true potential. Dayvion is simply a winner. Put him in any situation and he will find a way to win and make his team better – even if it means to sacrifice his own personal gain. As a forward in middle school he has transformed well into an elite point guard, who makes plays on both ends of the floor. He has worked really hard on his shooting and scoring ability – which will make him even more valuable at the HS and college level. His ability to handle the emotional ups and downs of practices and games is tremendous. Dayvion has never had a bad practice or game because he is a kid who finds a way to make an impact.” If Dayvion can make a big enough impact this season, he could find his way back to Rupp Arena in March.