6-1 Guard Knowles Signs With U of L Basketball
April 11, 2007 | Men's Basketball
April 11, 2007
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Preston Knowles, a 6-1, 170-pound guard from George Rogers Clark High School in Winchester, Ky. has signed a national letter-of-intent to continue his basketball playing career at the University of Louisville.
Knowles averaged 21.4 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 2.2 steals as a senior last season in leading Clark County to a 26-8 record and the Region 10 title, the school's first regional championship in 17 years. Knowles shot 49 percent from the field, including 38.1 percent from the three-point line, and made 71 percent of his free throw attempts.
"Preston is one of the premier seniors in the state," said U of L men's basketball Coach Rick Pitino. "He's an explosive scorer, a good defensive player and a tough young man who gets after you the entire game. As a freshman, he'll be playing behind some outstanding players and will have an opportunity to learn our system. There's an outside chance we could redshirt him as a freshman. We're excited to have him as part of our basketball team."
"Preston has a very high basketball IQ and has a great passion for the game," said Clark County Coach Scott Humphrey. "He shoots it really well from outside, he can create his own shot, and he's the best defender I've coached in 10 years."
Knowles was the second-leading scorer in the 2007 state tournament (21.0) and was honored on the Sweet 16 all-tournament team. He was the 10th Region player of the year and was noted as the top sleeper among Kentucky seniors by Rick Bolus' High Potential Basketball. He totalled 33 points and eight rebounds in the regional championship game against Mason County. He averaged 19 points a game as a junior when Clark County posted a 22-9 record.
Knowles chose Louisville after also considering Virginia Commonwealth, Kansas State, LSU and Miami (Ohio).
Knowles is the third addition to the Cardinal roster this season, joining a pair of prep products who signed with U of L in November: George Goode, a 6-8, 205-pound forward from Raytown (Mo.) South High School and Clarence Holloway, a 7-1, 270-pound center from Chicago who attended the Chicago Boys To Men Math and English Academy last season.
