Knox plays for uncle on Veteran’s Day
For one important Knick, Veteran’s Day hits close to home.
Kevin Knox comes from a long lineage of U.S. military members, including an uncle, Raymond Estelle, who was killed during the Afghan war in 2011.
The rookie said Estelle provided extra motivation ahead of the Knicks’ annual Military Appreciation Day on Sunday against the Magic.
“We were pretty close. We used to spend so much time together at my grandparent’s house,” Knox said. “I was still kind of young. Maybe 11 or 12 probably, when he passed away. I just want to make sure to go out and play hard, because I know he’s watching over me and I know that he wants the best for me.”
Knox’s military family members also included his great grandfather, Richard Knox Jr., who served in WWII, and grandfather, Levi Knox, a 26-year-veteran of the Air Force. Knox’s aunt, Lt. Col. N’Keiba Knox Estelle, is currently in the Air Force.
Knox’s military background is apparent in the way the 19-year-old frequently expresses, “Yes sir.”
He grew up in Tampa.
“My family’s big on discipline, respect, manners, make sure that we respect our elders,” Knox said. “So that’s kind of what the military is. You have to say, ‘Yes sir,’ ‘No ma’am,’ ‘Yes ma’am.’ All that stuff. That’s kind of the mold my dad has for my brothers and I.”
Knox, however, never considered joining the military. Like his father – a former NFL draft pick — he was too good at sports.
“I’ve been more of a sports guy growing up. It’s different. People have different mentalities, different loves,” Knox said. “I love the military, of course, but it wasn’t my thing. Sports was my thing. I grew up playing sports. But I always celebrate Veterans Day.”
Knox got his first extended minutes in Saturday’s loss to the Raptors after spraining his ankle on Oct. 20. He logged 24 minutes, scoring 12 points on 4-of-11 from the field. The ninth overall pick was yanked from the starting lineup after an ugly preseason and efficiency continues to be a concern – with him shooting just 32% in six games.
But with Lance Thomas out for at least four weeks because of knee surgery, Knox will get plenty of playing time. Coach David Fizdale was encouraged that Knox drained a pair of 3-pointers on Saturday.
“The ball went in and that’s the biggest thing, a lot of times, is just seeing that ball go through the net,” Fizdale said. “He had a good hard foul to get that feeling back of contact and things like that. I thought there was some good minutes for him tonight.”