MKRob Sports

Before Brandon Knight begins his college career at Kentucky, he can add one more individual honor to his vast collection.

Wednesday, Knight was named the Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year at a luncheon in Los Angeles.

Kevin Love and Wes Welker presented him with the award and at the podium, the Pine Crest alum was quick to thank his parents.

“I’ve been through a lot and my family has always been there for me,” said Knight, who was a finalist for the same award a year ago.

Knight, who was also named the Gatorade National Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year for the second consecutive year’ is only the third player to earn the sport’s honor in back-to-back seasons, joining the Heat’s LeBron James (2002, 2003) and Portland’s Greg Oden (2005, 2006).

This season, Knight averaged a career-best 31.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists in leading Pine Crest to the Class 3A state tournament for the fourth consecutive year.

He was a McDonald’s All-American and for the fourth consecutive year, was voted the Sun Sentinel’s Class 3A-2A-1A Player of the Year.

Knight finished his career as Broward County’s leading scorer with 3,515 career points and he ranks second among all Florida players behind Cape Coral Mariner’s Teddy Dupay, who finished with 3,744 points.