Keion Brooks reminds UK of Kevin Knox

Kentucky has been heavily recruiting 2019 wing Keion Brooks from Indiana because of his long frame and scoring ability.

If that description sounds a lot like former Kentucky Wildcat Kevin Knox, you aren’t the only one who thinks that, as it seems the coaching staff is drawing the comparison between Brooks, the 16th overall player in the class according to 247 Sports, and the latest Kentucky freshman turned potential lottery pick.

That tidbit came from the Lexington Herald Leader’s Ben Roberts, who wrote that Calipari has pitched a Knox-type role for Brooks if he brings his talents to Lexington.

“He’s pitching me on being a big guard. Kind of like Kevin Knox — being able to move all over the floor and just be versatile,” Brooks told Roberts. “A lot like Kevin played this past year. He was able to shoot it on the perimeter. He would post smaller guys up and take bigger guys off the dribble.”

Brooks could definitely fit into that role at Kentucky. He’s a proven scorer with solid ball-handling ability who can be a matchup nightmare at 6’8 or 6’9. Knox being drafted in the lottery could be just another trick up Calipari’s sleeve when he is in the room with Brooks and his family as an example of the path he could find himself on if he leaves his home state of Indiana to join the Wildcats.

But therein is the conundrum for Kentucky. They will have a battle on their hands to land the talented wing and pull him from the home-state Hoosiers, who have absolutely made him a top priority in the 2019 class.

Being in Indiana and around plenty of IU fans, the pressure is on for Brooks to stay home and play in front of hometown fans. The hysteria around his recruitment probably won’t match Romeo Langford levels, but it could be very close and we have seen how that has played out.

Also, Michigan State is squarely in the mix and could potentially be a leader, so if Brooks were to leave Indiana, it could possibly be to head north.

This recruitment will be something to watch, as Brooks chooses whether to stay home or follow his dreams at Michigan State or Kentucky.

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