LSU/SJSU Transfer Seneca Knight Receives Waiver, Immediately Eligible to Play for BYU

BYU Basketball received some great news as LSU/San Jose State transfer Seneca Knight tweeted that he received a NCAA waiver and is immediately eligible to play this season.

Seneca committed to BYU back in July and needed a waiver since this is his second undergraduate transfer. The waiver was expected, but adding Seneca to this year’s team is a huge boost.

Knight is a big addition to the roster with his size and scoring ability. A 6-foot-7 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 ended.

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 will be a junior this upcoming season and have two years of eligibility remaining.

Knight shores up a couple weakness 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-7 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.

Either Knight or Gideon George will start at the 3 spot next to Alex Barcello, Te’Jon Lucas, Caleb Lohner and Gavin Baxter/Richard Harward, but Knight will be a major factor on the team regardless. Knight’s addition, in my opinion, ensures this team will be better than last season and have a legitimate shot to advance in the NCAA Tournament.

We did a roster preview back in July after Seneca committed. BYU added walk-on Paora Winitana in the summer.

You can watch highlights from Seneca below.