The Shootout - Dallas

Your Event Director

Mark McKnight brings over 25 years of experience at the heart of grassroots basketball in Central Texas, offering a rare blend of on-the-ground coaching insight and a trained scout’s eye for talent. As a co-founder of the pioneering ATX Basketball program and longtime Athletic Director of the Greater Central Texas Youth Association (ATX-Boys Basketball), McKnight has helped shape the competitive landscape of youth basketball in the region. His programs have consistently produced high-level teams that have competed in top-tier showcase tournaments across the country. Throughout his career, McKnight has mentored and developed hundreds of young...

Mark McKnight brings over 25 years of experience at the heart of grassroots basketball in Central Texas, offering a rare blend of on-the-ground coaching insight and a trained scout’s eye for talent. As a co-founder of the pioneering ATX Basketball program and longtime Athletic Director of the Greater Central Texas Youth Association (ATX-Boys Basketball), McKnight has helped shape the competitive landscape of youth basketball in the region. His programs have consistently produced high-level teams that have competed in top-tier showcase tournaments across the country. Throughout his career, McKnight has mentored and developed hundreds of young athletes—many of whom have gone on to play at the collegiate and professional levels. His legacy also includes former players now serving as head coaches at the high school level, further extending his influence on the game. Originally from Queens, NY, McKnight cut his teeth in the game on the famed playgrounds and tournaments of New York City. After high school and a brief stint at Hunter College, he joined the U.S. Air Force, where he continued to play competitively in Europe, including stops in Germany and Belgium. McKnight has contributed to the basketball ecosystem not only as a coach but as a respected evaluator and event organizer. His work includes roles at the Texas Top 100 Combine, Great American Shootout, and the South Region AAU, as well as collaborations with CMD Sports Group Consulting. He has helped plan and facilitate scouting events, individual and team showcases, and skills clinics at major programs including the University of Texas, Baylor University, and Texas A&M. Today, McKnight leverages his deep knowledge of player development and game dynamics as a scout content writer. He provides talent evaluations, game analysis, and insightful coverage of players and programs across the region. His writing reflects a seasoned perspective rooted in years of sideline experience, with a focus on uncovering the next generation of standout athletes. Beyond basketball, McKnight leads a mentoring initiative called A Part of Many, partnering with schools and churches to support the growth of young men ages 12–18 through sports, life skills, and leadership development.