'Admiration for him': Dayvion McKnight shines for Xavier after death of older brother
Xavier head coach Sean Miller spoke in his postgame press conference Friday after the Musketeers' 100-75 win over Bryant and expressed his admiration for starting point guard Dayvion McKnight.
It wasn't just McKnight's play that warranted praise from Miller, but his resiliency to play his best basketball with a heavy heart. McKnight lost his older brother last week. He was 24.
"I don't even know if the word proud is the right term; more admiration for him," Miller said. "They were very close. He has to travel to Las Vegas for two games, be away from his family, be with us, go through what we did there losing a tough game, fighting back and beating Saint Mary's, then traveling back. Just watching him deal with us, I just admire the unselfish person, teammate and the courage he has."
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McKnight is heading home this weekend for the funeral, according to Xavier athletics.
"We're really trying to support him. I can't imagine what it feels like to be in his shoes," Miller said. "It's unimaginable to deal with somebody that young in life, to lose him."
Miller said it was McKnight's decision to play in Xavier's two-game stint in the Continental Tire Main Event in Las Vegas and Friday afternoon against Bryant. The team would've supported him had he wanted to step away, but McKnight wanted to remain with the team.
"Sometimes, when you're dealing with tragedy and different things that happen in sports, you learn how important the comradery of a locker room, the comradery of being on a team and how it can really empower young people," Miller said. "In this case, almost like the last thing you want to do is give that up because that's your therapy. It's basketball − it's the game you love. Your mind can go to a different place.
"No doubt, a lot of admiration from his teammates, a lot of respect for him. We want to support him in any way we can just as he's dealing with the loss of his brother and trying to improve as a player on our team."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Dayvion McKnight shines for Xavier after death of older brother
