Kevin Knox II Fieldhouse Unveiled At Tampa Catholic High School

TAMPA, FL — At 6 feet 7 inches tall, Kevin Knox II can't help but stand out.

Nevertheless, it wasn't his height or status as an NBA player with the Atlanta Hawks that made him a standout at the unveiling of Tampa Catholic High School's new fieldhouse.

It was the fact that, at the age of 22, the Tampa Catholic graduate donated $2 million to help build the state-of-the-art facility.

Surrounded by faculty, students, alumni, donors and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Knox said the donation is simply payback for all Tampa High School gave him when he attended the school from 2013 to 2017.

Named the Kevin Knox II Fieldhouse, the $6 million, 10,500-square-foot facility was jointly funded by Knox, John and Lydia Oliva and the Prado family.

Knox said it was the values taught to him by his parents, Michelle and Kevin Knox Sr., and the lessons learned from his high school basketball coach, Don Dziagwa, that motivated him to make the donation.

“Tampa Catholic gave me two gifts that go with me on the court and in life. Coach Dziagwa allowed and encouraged me to grow as a leader and the school as a whole gave me an education that created more awareness of the world around me,” Knox said. “This gift is generational because our entire family can enjoy it for years to come and that was important to me.”

Knox has three younger siblings: Kobe, a Tampa Catholic alumni; Karter, a current Tampa Catholic student; and Ashley.

Classmates, teachers and coaches say it was not only his skills on the court but his kindness and generous spirit that made him stand out at the high school.

“Gifts like this from someone at such a young age is extraordinary in and of itself but to know that every student in our community will benefit because that was Kevin’s desire is extra special,” said Robert Lees, principal at Tampa Catholic High School. “We are humbled and grateful beyond words for his generosity.”

While Knox's name appears prominently above the doors of the new fieldhouse, the school also honored its other major donors. The fitness center is named for the Olivas and the Hall of Fame Promenade for the Prado family.

The naming of the basketball court, however, was reserved for the man who has spent more than 30 years coaching student-athletes from its sidelines — head basketball coach and athletic director of Tampa Catholic, Coach Don Dziagwa.