Knight Growing Up in AU Men's Backcourt
February 23, 2004

By Andrea Adame, AU Sports Information

If you give a baby time and room to grow, eventually it will mature into an adult. That is exactly how AU freshman Vahn Knight (Euclid, OH/St. Benedictine) feels about his basketball game. Knight has gained valuable experience this year. Now, as he matures physically and learns even more about college basketball, his growth potential would look to be unlimited.

“College ball is way different than high school,” Knight said. “The guys are bigger and faster. A lot of them have more experience so I had to adjust to this level of play.”

And adjust he did. As a freshman for the Eagles Knight has seen significant minutes on the court (25.7 minutes per game/third on the team) and has been looked upon to be one of the team’s leading scorers.

“Coach let me know that I would be playing a lot of minutes and I knew that I would be playing during crunch time, so I was prepared. I was surprised when I found out I was a leading scorer because I did not know how productive I would be,” Knight said. “I had the confidence and I expected to do big things.”

The belief that Knight has in himself is evident when he is out on the floor. This confidence has allowed his coaches to feel comfortable when the ball is in his hands.

“We signed Vahn early because he was just an outstanding prospect,” AU head coach Roger Lyons said. “I’m so pleased he’s produced well his first year.”

Knight has excellent shooting range and can be counted on from just about anywhere on the floor. He’s averaging 10.2 ppg., the third best figure on the team. He’s shooting a team-high 77.6 percent at the free throw line and that puts him seventh in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference in free throw percentage.

“I feel most comfortable with shooting free throws because no one is guarding me. There’s pressure, but I’ve practiced enough to be comfortable when I’m on the line,” Knight said. “It’s frustrating when you don’t score as much as you want. I want to step up my shooting range, but that will come with more practice. I just try to improve every day.”

Knight seems to have the offense side of the game figured out, but his defensive game is still a work in progress. At 6-4, 175 pounds, Knight gets pushed around by the GLIAC’s bigger, more physical guards.

“This season has showed me that experience goes a long way. Those guys in the GLIAC know how to win. I’ve had to guard seniors and I see the things they do,” Knight said. “A top priority will be getting in the weight room. If I don’t get in, I won’t be good. It’s key to be able to compete at this level to have strength.”

“We knew that he would struggle physically, but we were surprised by his durability. He has really stood up against the pressure,” Lyons said.

Knight was used to performing under pressure from his years playing on the high school level. As a four-year letterwinner for St. Benedictine he was the team’s most valuable player his senior year averaging 18.0 ppg., 6.0 apg., and 5.0 rpg. He also helped his team win a district championship his senior year going 19-5.

Those are great numbers, but Knight has learned that he must build on those figures if he is to expand his game.

“There are three things Vahn must do to improve his game,” Lyons said. “He has to get stronger, become more consistent on defense and take the minutes and experience he has and put it into an effective game.”

Being a freshman, Knight has a lot to look forward to in the AU program. He has three more years to improve his game to become one of the most feared guards in the GLIAC.

“I’m happy with the situation this season,” Knight said. “This is a new team and we are coming into it. I’m going to work on all aspects of my game and I think that this team will be successful in years to come.”