Since graduating from Howard School of Academics and Technology in May of 2012 and participating in multiple tournaments/showcases scoring 52 points in a single game in April this year, LaVantez Knight, a 6-foot-1 guard who played some games for Gabriel Christian Academy in January will play for Tennessee Temple University in the fall.
Tennessee Temple is a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association Division I league. Temple went 23-13 (.639) last season and is returning entire team.
Knight chose Temple over Barclay, Green Mountain and Kuyper while receiving interest from Jacksonville, Chattanooga, and Mercer among others.
There are very few athletes that can say they were invited to professional leagues out of high school but Knight was one to mention as he was invited to Eurobasket Summer League (ESL) in 2012. The ESL is only for players who have the ability or potential to play professional basketball either internationally or in the United States.
Knight played at Berean Academy tenth grade and most of eleventh grade year averaging 21.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2.6 blocks, and became the nation's free-throw leader throughout that time according to Maxpreps.com. He scored 36 points in 63-26 win over Shenandoah, 27 points in 72-17 win over Calvary Christian as sophomore. As a junior had a 37 point game against Hardy Memorial and played last two games for Hixson. He scored 17 points, 12 rebounds against Rhea and had 21 points with 15 rebounds playing Red Bank. Knight also scored 21 points in the first half of state tournament game against Hendersonville as a sophomore.