Update on Transfer Seneca Knight as He Prepares to Visit BYU

BYU is closing in on possibly the last addition to its roster as San Jose State/LSU transfer Seneca Knight prepares to visit BYU. I caught up with Seneca as he nears a final decision.

Seneca will arrive in Provo on Thursday the 15th and will visit BYU July 16 and 17. This will be his third visit after going on trips to Georgia Southern and Idaho. Seneca doesn’t plan on having a final list until Monday or Tuesday and told me he plans on making his decision next weekend (~10 days from this writing) “at the soonest”.

Knight is a 6-7 guard/wing that was Third-Team All-MWC during the 2019-2020 season for San Jose State. Knight played in only four games this past season before withdrawing due to COVID concerns and transferring to LSU. Knight never played for LSU and entered the portal once again a couple weeks ago. 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. 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 will be a junior this upcoming season and have two years of eligibility remaining.

A lot can happen in the next week and a half, but at this point I consider BYU the favorite. BYU has been recruiting him hard and offers him a major role on a team that can advance in the tourney. Idaho is a darkhorse to watch, however. Idaho recently hired Tim Marrion as an assistant coach, who was an assistant at San Jose State while Knight was there. Knight says he has a great relationship with Marrion.

Minnesota and Virginia Tech have also recruited Knight and they could be ones to watch if they pursue heavier. Other schools could still reach out as well, but I like BYU’s chances to end up with Knight.

If BYU lands Knight, he would be a huge piece for Make Pope and staff. He fills a need as a big wing that can create his own shot and would be one of the go-to options for BYU. UCLA’s big guard line also exposed BYU’s lack of size in the backcourt, so defensively his size and length would also be valuable. Knight would predominately play the 2 and 3 positions for BYU but could play the 4 spot in a small ball lineup. Knight could play the 2 spot alongside Barcello or Te’Jon Lucas in the backcourt, or he could play the 3 next to those guys and Caleb Lohner at the 4. If BYU wanted to put a dynamic 5 on the court, they could go small and roll with Barcello, Lucas, Gideon George, Knight, and Caleb Lohner. Lohner played the 5 in spurts last year.

All things considered, Knight would be a versatile piece for BYU that could be the final piece in helping BYU advance in the NCAA tournament.