Kansas University newcomer Natalie Knight will join the long line of her relatives to don a Jayhawk uniform. Three of Knight's uncles, Mark, Danny and Kelly Knight all played for the men's team.

Kansas University newcomer Natalie Knight will join the long line of her relatives to don a Jayhawk uniform. Three of Knight's uncles, Mark, Danny and Kelly Knight all played for the men's team.

James Knight — the father of incoming Kansas University freshman basketball guard Natalie Knight — wasn’t about to fill up his gas tank if he didn’t have to.

It was the end of Natalie’s sophomore year of high school, and after receiving interest from colleges other than KU, the Olathe South standout told her dad she’d like to take some unofficial visits.

“I want to go see these places,” Natalie told her father, “but I know I don’t want to go that far away from home.”

James responded with a simple question: “Well, why are we wasting everyone’s time?”

The unofficial visits didn’t happen. A few days later, Natalie called KU coach Bonnie Henrickson and gave a commitment.

“I love being close to my family,” Natalie said. “We’ve always been really close, done a lot of things together. I just didn’t want to leave Kansas.”

There was another reason for Natalie to pick KU: Her family has a history of success there.

Danny Knight led the 1973-74 KU squad to the Final Four.

Mark Knight was a walk-on at KU for former coach Ted Owens.

Kelly Knight finished his career in 1984 as a 1,000-point scorer.

Three of Natalie’s uncles — Danny, Mark and Kelly played basketball for the Jayhawks in the 1970s and ’80s.

Danny, who passed away in 1977 after suffering a brain aneurysm, was a starter for the 1974 Final Four team; Kelly, who lives in Salina, averaged 10.5 points per game over four seasons in the early 1980s; and Mark, who lives in Lawrence, participated as a walk-on during the 1980-81 season.

Natalie’s parents — James and mother Tinita — also are KU graduates.

James had some interest in KU for basketball before deciding to play for family friend Lafayette Norwood at Johnson County Community College. After that, he played two seasons for San Diego before finishing his degree at KU.

“(KU) has been a great blessing for our family,” James said. “Basketball has been a good tool for getting education. Ultimately, we’ve always been with our kids the way my parents were with us — you’re there to get your education first.”

Perhaps not surprisingly, Natalie grew up following KU men’s basketball.

Her favorite players include Wayne Simien, Mario Chalmers and Sherron Collins.

“She didn’t miss a men’s game growing up as a small kid,” James said. “Both her and her brother were mad when they lost.”

Natalie is about to start her own collegiate career after an impressive four-year run at Olathe South.

The 5-foot-7 guard was named the 2011 Gatorade Kansas High School Player of the Year and also KBCA’s Miss Kansas Basketball after averaging 16.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 5.9 assists and 4.5 steals per game her final year.

“I think her main strength is her understanding of the game,” said Mark, who attended several of Natalie’s games last season. “She really understands the game, and she is usually two or three thoughts ahead in terms of anticipating what’s going to happen.”

Natalie led the Falcons to a 21-2 record and a state tournament appearance her senior year. During her junior season, Olathe South won the Class 6A state championship with a 24-1 record.

“Her game’s pretty vanilla, man, but it goes with everything,” James said. “There’s not much flash to it at all, but she just seems to get the job done.”

So far, Natalie’s adjusting to workouts and classes while also getting acquainted with her new teammates. That includes playing, “Michael Jackson: The Experience” on Wii, where the players attempt to mimic the King of Pop’s dance moves.

Maybe, Natalie says, her family’s KU legacy won’t end with her.

Her younger brother, Noah, plays basketball and is a sophomore-to-be at Olathe South.

“It’s hopefully a tradition,” Natalie said, “that will keep going.”