WKU G Dayvion McKnight officially enters transfer portal, could be a Louisville lock
![Dec 22, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers guard Dayvion McKnight (20) brings the ball up the court during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports Dec 22, 2021; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Western Kentucky Hilltoppers guard Dayvion McKnight (20) brings the ball up the court during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena at Central Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/4203b3a30beee3dc491cf4c3395005003bdf82cacac441f091a9f88cd38dd946.jpg)
The rumors began swirling around Western Kentucky guard Dayvion McKnight coming to join the University of Louisville basketball program even before he was officially in the transfer portal. A shake-up in the coaching situation in Bowling Green could have affected his decision to leave the Hilltoppers, or at the very least could have made his decision a little easier.
Now, as of today, 247Sports’ Travis Branham officially reported that Dayvion McKnight has entered his name into the transfer portal.
CORRECTION: Dayvion McKnight will not test the NBA Draft waters, sources tell @247Sports.
— Travis Branham (@TravisBranham_) March 21, 2023
Was being considered but fully intends on going back to college next year. https://t.co/DVrYRSdnE9
Being a native of Louisville, Kentucky and visiting his hometown often, the 6-foot-2 guard has been in many conversations surrounding the Louisville basketball program. At this point in time, it seems like a perfect time for the Class of 2020 prospect to come back home.
Coming out of high school, it was not the right time for him to join the Cardinals due to the lingering IARP ruling over the program and the inability for the Cardinals to promise incoming recruits anything less than the “death penalty.”
But now, that ruling is behind Kenny Payne and the program, which could have made it easier for him to have one of the most historic recruiting weeks in program history. Over a period of seven days, Head Coach Kenny Payne landed commitments from Dennis Evans, Illinois transfer guard Skyy Clark, and 2024 combo guard Trentyn Flowers, who also announced his reclassification to the 2023 class.
So, with the immense amount of recruiting momentum that the Louisville program has right now and his ties to the city of Louisville, it only makes sense that Dayvion McKnight join the Cardinals at this point in time. Another factor at play here is that Louisville is in need of guard help and McKnight would provide that in abundance.
A potential backcourt of McKnight, Skyy Clark, and El Ellis (if he elects to return), then those three would be a lethal backcourt that could compete with the best in the ACC, and would expedite the future of the program far beyond what it is already.
Last season with the Hilltoppers, McKnight averaged 16.5 points per game on 45.6% from the field and 33.9% from behind the arc. He also showed impressive numbers from the free throw line, shooting 84.1% from the strike.
At this point, it almost seems like a lock for Louisville to land the former Kentucky Mr. Basketball. Especially because it has been reported that a Western Kentucky booster released some information that the main contender that could pull McKnight away from the Hilltoppers is the University of Louisville.
A few weeks ago, I spoke with a WKU booster who said the Hilltoppers were battling with Louisville to keep McKnight. With McKnight deciding to enter the transfer portal, I'd be SHOCKED if he ended up anywhere else but Louisville. Will be a HUGE addition to next year's team. https://t.co/OM70i8iJkJ
— UofL Sports News (@UofL_Updates) March 21, 2023