William Price “Billy” Knight (January 20, 1979 – July 8, 2018) was an American professional basketball player who spent much of his career competing overseas, most notably in Japan. He was born in Los Angeles, California. Knight became known in the Japanese leagues as a prolific scorer and an experienced import who helped several clubs improve their competitiveness.

Professional career and accomplishments

Knight’s most prominent achievement came with the Hamamatsu Higashimikawa Phoenix, where he played a leading role in the team’s first bj league championship in the 2009–10 season. That year he was one of the league’s top scorers, averaging about 19.6 points per game, and his scoring output was widely credited with helping Hamamatsu reach and win the title. Over the course of his career in Japan he also had stints in cities listed as Osaka, Hyogo and Yamagata, representing the mobility common among foreign imports in Asian professional basketball.

Playing profile and influence

Known primarily as an offensive threat, Knight was valued for his scoring ability, experience in late-game situations and the veteran presence he provided to his teams. Import players like Knight played a visible role in raising the quality and profile of the bj league during its existence, contributing to growing fan interest and helping domestic players develop by competing alongside and against established foreign talent.

In June 2018 Knight was arrested in connection with allegations involving a child; reports indicate the arrest took place on June 13, 2018. Authorities investigated claims concerning abuse of a minor. A month later, on July 8, 2018, Knight was found dead in Phoenix, Arizona at the age of 39. Coverage of these events noted both the criminal investigation and the abrupt end to his life, and many reports treated the allegations and circumstances with caution pending official findings.

Legacy and context

Billy Knight’s career illustrates the path of many American players who build lengthy professional tenures outside the National Basketball Association by becoming key contributors in international leagues. His role in Hamamatsu’s bj league title remains the most-cited highlight of his playing days. For additional contemporary reporting and player summaries see player pages and news accounts linked from reliable archives and sports databases.