Nathan Knight

Nathan Knight's Biography

Nathan Solomon Kapahukula Knight is an American professional basketball player, born on September 20, 1997, and currently playing for the Zhejiang Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He was brought up in Syracuse, New York and went to Nottingham High School.

Knight did not always possess an affinity for basketball. As a freshman, he was a pitcher on the baseball team at his school. Nevertheless, he transitioned to basketball after a remarkable growth spurt spurred him towards the sport. His prowess in basketball crystallized during his senior year, when he averagely scored 14.1 points and secured 7.4 rebounds per game. This performance did not go unnoticed. He earned the title All-Central New York due to his exceptional skills.

Following high school, Knight attended Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, New Hampshire for a postgraduate year. He also competed for Gym Ratz, under the guidance of Billy Edelin, during his stint in AAU play. His basketball journey took a significant twist on October 5, 2015, when he committed to William & Mary after receiving several offers from other institutions. Knight valued the established history of the College and felt at ease on its campus, driving his decision to join.

During his tenure at William & Mary as a true freshman, Knight impressively averaged 8.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in 31 games played (six of which he started). Coach Tony Shaver commended Knight’s work ethic that contributed to his weight loss of 45 pounds before his sophomore season. As a sophomore, Knight successfully averaged 18.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, and two blocks per game and was recognized as the second team All-Colonial Athletic Association (CAA).

Knight’s basketball career skyrocketed in 2019. On February 9, he accomplished a career-high 39 points matched with 14 rebounds at Hofstra. This success was shortly followed by 35 points and 13 rebounds against Elon on February 16 and 30 points aiding a win over College of Charleston on February 21. Knight’s continuous high performance led to his distinction as the first team All-CAA as a junior. He averaged 21 points, 8.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game. This achievement led him to become the first college basketball player since Tim Duncan at Wake Forest University in 1997 to average these staggering stats.

Despite entering the 2019 NBA draft, Knight chose to return to William & Mary for his senior season. Before his last season, coach Tony Shaver was replaced by Dane Fischer, and while four players transferred, Knight chose to stay with the team. He went on to regularly score 30-point games against Buffalo and Oklahoma. Knight ended his college basketball career on a high, being named CAA Player of the Year and CAA Defensive Player of the Year. Thus, he proved to be only the second men’s basketball player in CAA history to earn both awards simultaneously.

Knight moved on from college basketball after signing a two-way contract with the Atlanta Hawks in 2020. He played 33 games for the Hawks the following season, averaging 3.8 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Despite the challenges of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Knight continued to play professionally, signing a two-way deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves and their G League affiliate, the Iowa Wolves, for the 2021–22 season.

Knight’s NBA career saw him first start a game on December 27, 2021, earning 20 points, 11 rebounds, a steal, and a block, contributing to his team’s victory against the Boston Celtics. The following season saw him re-signing with the Timberwolves, where he averaged 3.7 points and 1.5 rebounds in 38 appearances. He then signed a two-way contract with the New York Knicks in 2023, only to be waived a few months later. Bouncing back, he was signed to a two-way contract with the Boston Celtics shortly afterward, and averaged 8.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks over 12 games with the Maine Celtics.

Knight’s professional basketball journey took him back to the Motor City Cruise after he returned to Maine in 2023. Then, in August 2024, Knight made a big move by signing with the Zhejiang Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association. Despite the geographical shift, Knight has continued to thrive, cementing his mark as an accomplished professional basketball player.

Most importantly, Knight’s personal story stands as a testament to his resilience. The youngest of four children, his life was struck by tragedy when his 18-year-old sister, Yeisha Howard, was fatally stabbed in Syracuse in 2008. Despite the adversity he faced, Knight has consistently risen above challenges, both on and off the court, embodying an inspiring embodiment of perseverance and determination in the world of basketball.