As if opponents didn't have enough to worry about, along comes a bigger and stronger Brandon Knight.

The Fort Lauderdale Pine Crest five-star guard and reigning Gatorade National Player of the Year still wears the signature long braids but will look decidedly stronger when he makes his preseason debut at the Chaminade High School Tip-off Classic on Thursday.

With help from a personal trainer, Knight has intensified his work in the weight room, resulting in a 325-pound bench press. After adding 10 pounds since his junior season, Knight now carries a chiseled 190 pounds on his 6-4 frame.

``I don't really feel comfortable unless I'm trying to get better,'' said Knight, who averaged 31.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 5.6 assists as a junior. ``Everybody tells me I need to rest a little bit but I'm really not a person that likes to rest much. I like to get the work in.''

Knight, ranked No. 1 in the 2010 class by Rivals.com and No. 4 by ESPN, remains uncommitted but has trimmed his list to Connecticut, Syracuse, Kansas, Miami, Kentucky and Florida.

The Classic tips with Archbishop McCarthy, led by senior 6-3 guard Zack Perkins, against Champagnat Catholic at 6:30. In the late game, Knight and Chaminade's Darius Perkins face off in a matchup of nationally-ranked guards.

Piper, which has undergone a resurgence under Brent Maffett, plays Northwest Christian at 6:30 on Friday and will be followed by perennial state contender Blanche Ely against South Miami.

The Classic resumes at 3:30 p.m. Saturday.

As for Knight, his added strength should help him assume an even bigger role in the Panthers' bid for a third consecutive Class 3A state championship. Pine Crest hopes the void left by the departure of Ed Waite and Jeremiah Bell -- cogs in its past two state title teams -- will be filled by its youngest roster since Knight's 8th-grade year.

Traveon Henry will start alongside Knight in the backcourt, and 6-6 junior Tevin Westbrook and 6-3 Billy Thompson Jr., son of the former Miami Heat forward, will fill two frontcourt positions.