Troy Reid-Knight Stock Rising: ‘He is Hands Down the Best Defender in the EYBL’
AUGUSTA, GA–When Tyus Jones, the #3-ranked player in America was having his way en route to 21 of his 30 point in the first half, CIA Bounce Head Coach, Tony McIntyre called upon his defensive specialist.
Enter Troy Reid-Knight.
The 6’1 guard contained Jones in the second half, holding him to nine points while providing Bounce with a defensive edge to close out the game over Howard Pulley. Since that game, Reid-Knight’s confidence has soared, along with his production.
“I’m feeling great…the coaches are giving me confidence, they told us not to worry about how you’re playing but to work as hard as you can, and I have been giving it my all,” Reid-Knight told NPH.
TRK is currently #22-ranked Canadian player in the class of 2013, and certainly making a case to rise. He is a proven winner who owns back-to-back OFSAA championships, a Canadian National championship, and quite possibly on the verge of capturing Peach Jam Gold!
“His mental toughness shows up during big games…he has an uncanny ability to make the right play at the right time, and hits big time shots,” said High school coach, Gus Gymnopolous.
“He is not afraid to defend the other teams best player, which many kids often shy away from,” he continued.
Reid-Knight grabbed his first OFSAA title with the Vaughan Voyageurs, while playing alongside current CIA Bounce teammate Andrew Wiggins, the #1 player in the class of 2014.
“It’s great to play with family, growing up playing with these guys, all these years…we’re a big family, we love to share the ball and we want to win.”
And winning is what they have done.
In addition to defending the opposition’s top perimeter players, Reid-Knight is producing all across the board contributing with rebounding, steals, and scoring, particularly from the three-point line.
“He has been instrumental in our success. He is hands down the best defender in the EYBL and knocks down key shots. Troy is a hard-nosed point guard; he defends, hustles, and is an outstanding person and player,” explained McIntyre.
CIA Bounce will play in the Peach Jam championships, and chances are Reid-Knight will once again have an impact on the outcome. Based off his current production, he can expect to receive a flurry of new interested schools seeking his services.
An NCAA program looking for a lock down perimeter defender with the ability to consistently hit shots won’t need to look any further.
