Former UK assistant coach Kenny Payne works with Kevin Knox now that both are together with the New York Knicks. (Knicks Photo)
One plus for Kevin Knox during his second season with the New York Knicks was having Julius Randle, another former University of Kentucky player, on the roster to offer advice. Randle has played in 375 NBA games and averaged 16.1 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in his career.
Kevin Knox Sr. said that former UK assistant coach Kenny Payne, who recently joined the Knicks staff, would give him “a little tidbit to tell Julius and stuff like that” during last season while Randle was doing the same for Knox Jr.
“Julius did a good job helping and reached out to Kev to work out and showed him the ropes in the beginning,” Knox Sr. said.
How good is Randle, who averaged 19.5 points and 9.7 rebounds per game last season in his first year with the Knicks?
“He is am imposing, dominating big man. He is blessed with God-given gifts that you saw at UK. He is one big agile, shooting, dribbling guy.”
Knox Sr. hopes the hiring of Tom Thibodeau as head coach will take not only his son to a higher level but also Randle even though recent reports have surfaced that the Knicks may try to trade Randle.
“Coach KP (Payne) has a relationship with Julius and Kevin. He could see things in both of them at Kentucky and having him here to work with them both is going to be great,” Knox Sr. said.
