Jordan Knox, Mr. Entrepreneur

Soon-to-be graduating senior Jordan Knox lives and breathes being in charge. From his days as a point at Heritage High to delivering the ball in college at the Academy of Art University, Las Positas College and Cal State Fullerton University, Knox has assessed situations, devised strategies and implemented actions. Responsibility invigorated rather than vexed him. Challenge was desired and persistence displayed.

Such was evident on the court in 2013. After minimal playing time this season, he was inserted into a starting role in the last four games for the Titans.

Rather than showcase rust and shakiness, he provided a greater contribution in each succeeding contest. This despite a torn labrum in his right shoulder, an injury that could have been surgically repaired earlier but that would have meant not be available for duty.

First, it was 15 minutes of court time versus UC Davis on March 2, followed by 19 minutes against UC Santa Barbara. Then it was 30 minutes in a matchup with Cal Poly.

The capper came in a season-ending 75-66 loss to Long Beach State in the Big West tournament. Knox's line: 33 minutes of playing time, 12 points on 4-5 from three-point range, plus  five assists and five rebounds, all career highs. The game announcers were wondering on air who he was.

Yes, it would have been easy for Knox to lash out and blame others for his earlier minimal court time and appearances.

But that isn't how Knox rolls.

So rather than lament going from star status to no status or be caught up in self-doubt, he chose a path of positivity. Knox kept the faith, motivating others while still being ready if a chance to contribute came his way.

For the season, he shot 52% overall, 42% from long distance and 60% at the foul line. He averaged 2.4 points per game, with a 2.3 assist-to-turnover ratio.

Now, he is set to replicate such off the court in the world of social media.

This all began with Knox contemplating his future, asking the age old questions of early adulthood -- 'what do I want to do with my life? what am I passionate about?'

"It took two to three months for the lightbulb to turn on," Knox explained. "I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur and I am passionate about sports. Plus, social media is so big now."

So he linked the trio with the idea of developing a social network for athletes.

But there was this thing called Facebook.

"So I knew this needed to be different."

The bedrock for his project became "athletes, amateur to pro, globally inspiring each other everyday using tweets, quotes, film, anything inspirational in a won't-ever-end loop."

In talking with other athletes assessing the value of posting, Knox came to decide "positivity should be the end result of posting. Plus, most professional athletes are non-existent on Facebook because it's too social. We're creating a place where professional athletes can inspire college athletes who can inspire high school athletes and so on. It's a way of giving back."

Continuing on, he said "since all athletes care about points, my social network will give a point for each post and recommending one, building up a profile score."

What's in it for the athlete is the point totals can be traded in for discounts on close to anything imaginable -- apparel, video games, event tickets, you name it.

"That's another thing, athletes love shopping and buying"  Knox said, relating that store sales pick up dramatically when scholarship money is released to athletes. "So inspiring people on our global network will get athletes 10%, 20%, 30% off on products."

Additionally, tracking certain players will be easy as Knox explained: "for someone going to a tournament to see certain players, athletes will be able to input their stats via phone and also alert coaches, family and fans to the where and when of the next game. The information would show up on the cell phone for any coach following this or that recruit." Anything that makes it easier for an athlete to be seen is beneficial to all parties in the recruiting equation and delivering this information to someone's proverbial doorstep is ultra-handy.

A bit further down the road, the opportunity will be available for sports trainers to post promotional material and target specific geographical locations.

Plus, bloggers and journalists will be able to put this to use too by offering a subscription-channel for followers willing to pay for scoops and fresh content not necessarily available anywhere else.

There is also a book he would like to see published, titled "River of Jordan." It will encompass his travels and travails, likened to the path water takes, within the world of high school and college basketball and the lessons learned.

In the planning stages are more directions to go with all this -- "my vision of it is colossal," Knox offered.

His social media site -- Rpass -- is now active though still in beta version.

Feedback in order to better his site is appreciated and can be sent to jordan@rpassonline.com.