Kevin Knox is headed to New York.
The New York Knicks took Knox with the No. 9 pick in Thursday's NBA draft, making him the first Kentucky player to come off the board.
The Southeastern Conference Co-Freshman of the Year is Kentucky's 32nd NBA draft pick in Calipari's nine seasons as coach. He is the 25th UK player picked in the first round in that span and 13th top-10 selection.
Playing mostly on the wing for Kentucky, the 6-foot-9 Knox shot 34.1 percent from 3-point range and 44.5 percent from the field as a freshman. He led UK in scoring (15.6 points per game) and 3-pointers (57) this season. He ranked second on the team in rebounds (5.4 per game).
"The league has become a hit-or-miss league," UK coach John Calipari said at the NBA combine in May. "If you shoot it, you’re good. If you can’t shoot it, you’re probably not good. And he can shoot."
In the weeks leading up to the draft, Calipari has pointed to Knox as a player teams will regret having passed on when he develops into his full potential after a few years.
"He has the mentality to be tough. It’s just physically he’s growing into his body," said Calipari, pointing to Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum as an example of the way Knox could develop in the NBA. "... Kevin falls into the same mold right now. When that toughness sprouts out, that’s when everybody says, ‘How did we pass on this guy? How do you pass on a 6-10 shooter, long, long-armed, who’s a good athlete? How do you pass on that?’
"That’s what’s going to happen, but right now there’s probably guys that have been in college longer, that are more physical, that are more mature physically. He’s got to catch up to that, but he will.”
In New York, Knox will join former Wildcat Enes Kanter, who spent a year in Lexington but never actually played for Kentucky after being ruled ineligible by the NCAA.
Despite the scrutiny that comes with playing in New York and demands for immediate contributions, Calipari told reporters at the combine he thought Knox would be a good fit for the Knicks.
"I think they know," Calipari said. "Stuff hasn’t worked: 'We better be more patient, we better build.' I’ve known (Knicks general manager) Scott (Perry) for years and years. I think he gets it, so I think they’ll be fine. And if they go that route, it would be good."