Samantha Paul
@samantha_alexx
LSU women’s basketball is known for shaking up the college stage with big talents and powerhouse players.
Their 2025 recruiting class is no different. The Tigers have picked up four top-30 recruits, including sixth-ranked Grace Knox out of Etiwanda. With Knox’s commitment, coach Kim Mulkey and her staff have crafted the No. 1 recruiting class in 2025.
“I’m very excited for Coach Mulkey,” Knox said. “I think that just with her development and seeing what she’s done in the past at Baylor and through her career… she will help me get to the next level and where I want to be.”
Knox averages 17.2 points and 11.9 rebounds per game. Returning from a back injury that forced her to miss her sophomore season, the five-star senior caught the attention of Louisiana State after a dominant junior year. She was also impressive with the Cal Sparks on the Nike EYBL circuit last summer, demonstrating her versatility to ESPN evaluators.
Of course, LSU wasn’t the only program vying for Knox’s talents. Tennessee, Texas and USC were among her final choices, but Knox says the culture and connectedness made the difference at LSU.
“The feeling of family and togetherness whenever I went to LSU… just set them apart with me and my connection to the team,” Knox shared. “Style of play and everything surrounding it, I think it was just all a perfect fit for me.”
It was evident at Hoophall on Monday what attracted so many Division I programs.
At 6-foot-3, Knox uses her size well to work inside the paint and occupy space in the middle of the floor. The power forward is also crafty around the rim, able to score with both her back to the basket and in face-up situations.
Knox also helped her team to snap Incarnate Word’s five-year-long 141-game win streak by a score of 74-65.
Defensively, Knox wants to contribute by battling under the hoop and being aggressive, an approach that earned her 12 rebounds and four blocks for the day.
On the opposite end of the court, Knox finished Etiwanda’s Hoophall appearance with just 13 points, a performance she says was not her best, but offensive consistency is a goal she has as she develops the next levels of her game. She believes growing with LSU’s program will help her get there.
“I think going into college, I want to work on being as versatile as I can. Being able to go off the dribble, off the ball, cutting and just getting stronger,” Knox said.
Etiwanda head coach Stan Delus agrees, and he thinks that expanding Knox’s offensive range will “mix things up” and help mature her game.
“She’s turning into an absolute monster, both ends of the court,” Delus said. “Now we’re trying to get her to move around a little bit more so she can be more of a threat on the perimeter, but she still does great things with posting up, finishing, catch and shoots. Now she’s working off the ball… to get ready for LSU.”
Despite some defensive areas to work on, Delus is excited about Etiwanda’s intensity and movement on the floor. Additionally, the work ethic of his players, including Knox, is something he’s grateful for.
“If you don’t know about Grace Knox, she’s a senseless worker, but she’s a kind-hearted person, like extremely. She cares about other people more than herself, and that’s what I appreciate about her.”
Photo by River Mitchell/The Student