By MARK BAIROS
Special to ZAGSBLOG
St. Benedict’s is losing one Canadian guard and adding another.
With point guard Tyler Ennis headed to start at the point for Jim Boeheim and Syracuse, St. Benedict’s Prep coach Mark Taylor will add former St. Patrick guard Kamar McKnight.
“I just felt over the past couple of years, St.Benedict’s has shown they are the No. 1 team in New Jersey and dominant on the national schedule which I wanted to be a part of,” McKnight told SNY.tv.
St. Ben’s will also likely add 6-4 junior Eli Cain of Medford Tech and 6-3 senior Carl Brown of Western (Ky.) High to offset the losses of Ennis and 2015 guard Isaiah Briscoe (Roselle Catholic).
“Kamar is a big strong guard who has a great feel for the game,” Taylor told SNY.tv. “He has a great attitude and we all feel that he will make adjustments quickly and contribute immediately for us this year.”
The 6-3 McKnight has played AAU with Grassroots Canada since 2011.
“My AAU experience this summer was great even though I was only available for the July live period,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to the next AAU season on the EYBL circuit and playing against the best night in and night out.”
McKnight is a flat-out shooter who can fill it up from deep. He recently hit six 3-pointers in a game.
While on AAU duty this summer the Southpaw parlayed his production into interest from several high-level programs.
“My list right now is Colorado, Arizona, UCLA, UConn, Oregon State and Fresno State,” he said. “The school showing the most love right now would be Colorado. Coach [Mike] Rohn is recruiting me hard at the moment.”
As for his time table for a decision McKnight said, “Would be before the ’14-15 season. My senior year of high school.”
FREE THROWS
Former Huntington Prep PG Nevell Provo will attend Athlete Institute in Orangeville, Ontario, CIA Bounce coach Tony McIntyre told SNY.tv. Jamal Murray, a 2016 CIA Bounce guard, will also attend the school.
