BYU Basketball Player Preview: Seneca Knight

Seneca Knight

Height: 6-6

Weight: 224

Hometown: Lafayette, Louisiana

Last School(s): San Jose State, LSU

Class: Junior

Seneca Knight Player Preview

Knight committed to BYU in July after two full seasons at San Jose State and a brief stop at LSU. A 6-foot-6 wing, Knight was Third-Team All-MWC during the 2019-2020 season for San Jose State. He played in only four games last season before withdrawing due to COVID concerns and transferring to LSU in January. Knight never played for LSU and entered the portal once again after the season.

He was one of the MWC’s top scorers two seasons ago, averaging 17.1 ppg, 5.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Knight shot 40% from the field, 29% from three and 77% from the foul line. He had three games with over 30 points, including a career high 37 points versus Colorado State. A big body on the perimeter, Knight does a great job attacking and getting to the free throw. KenPom ranked him in the top 40 nationally for fouls drawn per 40 minutes.

Knight shores up a couple weaknesses BYU had last year — lack of size on the perimeter and inability of guys to create their own shots. UCLA’s big guard line exposed BYU on the perimeter, and Knight’s 6-foot-6 frame will help BYU offensively and defensively. He can attack the basket and will be BYU’s best guy at getting the rim and drawing fouls. The 2 and 3 spots will be his primary positions, but he could also play the 4 in a small lineup.

Knight’s 3-point shooting has been inconsistent but he has the ability to knock down outside shots. If he can become at least a 35% 3-point shooter, he will put even greater pressure on the defense due to his ability to attack the basket. This will really be the first time in Knight’s career where he won’t be the focal point of the defense. He has two great veteran guards to get him the ball and take the pressure off him, including other guys such as Gideon George and Caleb Lohner. I expect Knight’s efficiency to improve since he won’t be the focal point of the defense every night (no pun intended).

Player Comp: Johnny Juzang

Juzang dominated BYU in the NCAA Tournament and led UCLA all the way to a final four as an 11 seed. Juzang and Knight are the same size and have some of the same skill sets. Knight isn’t the player that Juzang is, but he does a lot of the same things with his ability to attack the basket and hit contested shots.

BYU coaches recruited Knight with the vision that he can become the type of player that Juzang is.

2021-2022 Expectations: Foundational Piece

Knight may or may not start, but it won’t matter — he will be a key piece of the team. BYU didn’t really have any wings last year that could consistently attack the basket and create their own shot. Gideon George will improve this season, and Knight absolutely fills that void as someone you can give the ball to and he can get you a bucket. Knight will get BYU some cheap points when the offense is stagnant and he takes the ball and gets to the rim. UCLA exposed BYU last year when they suffocated Barcello and Averette on the perimeter, and BYU had no one they could turn to to break down UCLA’s big, physical guards. Knight is a player that can exploit that kind of defense. He also has the defensively versatility to guard positions 1-4 and will play multiple spots for BYU.

If Knight can improve his efficiency — and I think he will — he can be one of the top scorers in the WCC and a All-Conference caliber player.