Out of the 48 McDonald’s All-Americans in Houston split among boys and girls, Karter Knox is one of two second-generation athletes in attendance and becomes the 26th sibling pair to ever compete in the prestigious event. His brother Kevin participated in 2017 and now he’s set to do the same in 2024, that game scheduled for Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
There is no greater honor as a high school basketball player than to become a Burger Boy. And now the Knox family has two of them — both Kentucky Wildcats.
“To be selected out of everybody in the world, 24 players that are the best of the best. Being able to compete with the best, being named one of the best people in the world out of all of the players, it’s just a blessing,” Knox said at McDAAG Media Day on Monday.
The top-20 prospect joins future teammates Jayden Quaintance and Boogie Fland in attendance, giving Kentucky an event-high three participants in Houston. It extends John Calipari’s streak of most McDonald’s All-Americans with 47 total since he took over the UK program in 2009.
Knox remembers watching his brother earn the prestigious honor and participate in the high-profile all-star event seven years ago before taking his talents to Lexington. It was a moment that changed everything for the five-star wing, pushing him to give competitive basketball a shot in hopes of making it to the NBA just like Kevin did.
Now, he’s one step closer — a full-circle moment.
“It’s crazy, you know? As a little kid, I was watching the game. Just seeing him in the McDonald’s Game where it’s the best of the best, going against the best players in the world. Seeing him get selected, that really touched my heart,” Knox said Monday. “I was like, that is what really inspired me to play basketball and just keep going. middle of the game to go visit this, you know, visit the best players in the world.
“And just seeing him being selected. Like it really like touched my heart. You know, I was like, that’s what really inspired me to play basketball and just keep going and go as hard as I do.”
His brother used the McDonald’s All-American Game as a stepping stone to Kentucky, then off to the NBA as a top-10 draft selection. Knox plans to do whatever it takes to turn those same dreams into a reality at the next level.
“At the end of the day, I want to be a pro. I’m gonna go there and work my butt off,” he said.
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