SAN JOSE, Calif. – Few players in the Mountain West saw a bigger production increase in just one season than San Jose State's Seneca Knight. The talent was apparent in his freshman season in 2018-19, as he proved enough on the court to find a spot in the starting lineup for the team's final 12 games of the season. He was the lone freshman on the squad to play in every game, saw six double-digit scoring efforts and ended the season on a positive note with a team-high 15 points in the Mountain West Tournament.
Still, at season's end, Knight finished averaging just 6.2 points and 2.5 rebounds per game while scoring at a 32 percent clip. He finished fourth in the team in points per game and eighth in rebounds. The potential was there, but he needed to find a way to put it all together.
Then, something clicked in the offseason. The 6-foot-7 Lafayette, Louisiana, product went into his sophomore year with a new sense of determination and improved in nearly every aspect on the court.
Starting 30-of-31 contests, Knight exploded in production for a team-leading 17.1 points per game, an increase of 10.9 ppg from the season prior, and also led the squad in rebounds at 5.7 boards per game. In the games that mattered? He excelled even more there, ranking third in the conference with 20.1 points per game in league play. His shooting percentage saw a major bump as well, jumping from 32.0 to 40.3 percent.
After reaching double figure scoring six times as a freshman, Knight achieved the feat in all but four games in 2019-20, and finished the season on a 15-game stretch with at least 11 points. Three of those contests saw Knight reach the 30-point plateau, including a career-best 37-point outing at Colorado State, which is tied for the fourth-most points in a single game in program history. He also dropped 34 points at Nevada and 30 at UNLV.
For his efforts, Knight earned a spot on the All-Mountain West third team, becoming the first Spartan since 2016-17 to earn all-conference honors. The future is certainly bright for this rising junior, and he's determined to be even better in the seasons to come.
"Seneca is very focused and he is constantly developing his mental toughness on and off the court," head coach Jean Prioleau said.
Dive in as we go 1-on-1 with Seneca Knight.
Q: What types of training have you been doing while dealing with restrictions due to COVID-19?
SENECA: My dad and I have just been hitting it hard finding outside parks with goals to get shots up. My parents and I would go to sporting goods stores to buy dumbbells every time I needed to increase weight. Sometimes we had to go to three different stores to find the right weight/size. If there's a will there's a way. I'm not really picky as long as I can work to get stronger and better.
Q: How do you feel you have grown as a player and/or person since you first began at SJSU?
SENECA: I have grown a lot as a player and person since beginning at SJSU. On the court I have learned how to embrace everything that comes with basketball, so embracing the good and the bad. Off the court I learned how to be more independent and making sure I do stuff that I might not want to do like making sure I eat or I'm ahead in my classes & etc.
Q: What are you most excited about for the upcoming season?
SENECA: (laughs) Hopefully to be able to play! But for real, I'm looking forward to being with my teammates and getting to know the new players. Coming in and being able to teach them and help them grow as players. Also to be able to bond as a team and form a family type of atmosphere. Finally being able to play and win games.
Q: What has been your personal favorite memory on the court in your first two seasons?
SENECA: I would have to say the game when we beat Nevada this past season. It was my first high-scoring game and plus we came out that game with a W. So that was pretty exciting.
Q: What are your personal goals for the upcoming season?
SENECA: WIN.
Q: What aspects of your game do you hope to improve on in 2020-21?
SENECA: I consistently work to improve on ball-handling and basketball IQ. Also listening and seeking out advice because I'm constantly trying to get better and ultimately become the best ball player I can possibly be.
Q: How well do you know Spartan Newcomer Jalen Dalcourt and are you excited to play with him?
SENECA: I know Jalen really well! We grew up together, that's my brother! We lived in the gym together in high school working out with my dad. We even did the same thing recently during quarantine back in Louisiana. That's my biggest competitor. We consistently challenge and push each other. His parents are my parents and my parents are his parents! To answer the question, I can't wait to play with him in college. It's been a dream of ours to play together since we met, so I am very excited to be able to play with him at the college level!
Q: What's one thing that you miss about Louisiana?
SENECA: My family. I have two nieces and cousins that I never get to see. It's all good though. They know I love them and that I'm working.
Q: Your parents are extremely supportive of you and are always at the games. How great is it to have support like that?
SENECA: I couldn't ask for better parents! They come visit me all the way from Louisiana! I couldn't ask for more. I love them and am very thankful for them. My dad even moved up here to be with me! I'm beyond blessed! I'm at a loss for words! I can't even put into words how thankful I am for them and how much I love them. Having that type of support system is amazing!
Q: Who would you say is the toughest player you have faced at the college level?
SENECA: I would have to say University of Nevada's Jalen Harris. We formed a bond throughout the season. That's my guy. Broddie can hoop a bucket.
Q: What is something interesting about you that fans may not already know?
SENECA: Fans may not know that this year my music teacher told me I should stick with and pursue a career in music after having to write eight poems in an hour and a half for extra credit. Also I have a soft side and absolutely love animals. Tigers are my favorite animal. Also, that I just started playing organized basketball only four or five years ago.
Q: Is there a quote or motto that you live your life by?
SENECA: I have a couple quotes I live my life by, but I'll give y'all the main three.
1. #WAYW2S= What are you willing to sacrifice
2. #TTWU= Time to wake up
3. I Been That
Q: How would you say Coach Prioleau and staff have helped you in your first two seasons?
SENECA: They helped me a lot over my first two seasons. They've been really supportive of me and my goals. They give me tips and advice, watch film with me to help enhance my IQ. Coach Tim (Marrion) started staying after practice with me to shoot free throws and he'll stay there all day or however long it would take to reach the goal that we would set for the day. Coach (Julius) Hodge teaches me different things to look for or to do as a guard to make the game easier. We also have our occasional one on one games and that also helps me work on my game.
Q: If you could play for any NBA team, which one would it be and why?
SENECA: Honestly, I would be excited to play on any team in the NBA. I'll just be grateful for the opportunity to play at the next level and accomplishing one of my many goals.
Q: What should fans expect to see from Seneca Knight and the Spartans in 2020-21?
SENECA: Fans should expect to see a fun, exciting, personable side of me not just on the court but off the court as well. My one and only mindset coming into 2020-2021 is to win, that's it. This year we have many talented incoming players that will be joining the talented players we already have. The fans can expect us to form a new identity for SJSU, shape a new culture, and win games.
Q: What Nickname would you like to be called?
SENECA: Ace