Kevin Knox II played college basketball for the University of Kentucky (2017–2018), where he was named SEC Co-Freshman of the Year and was a 2018 AP All-America Honorable Mention. On December 9, 2018, he became the first Knicks rookie since Patrick Ewing to post at least 25 points and 15 rebounds in a game, becoming just the second teenager in NBA history to record the feat. He received KIA NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors in December 2018 and represented Team USA in the 2019 MTN DEW ICE Rising Stars.