Marion Hugh Knight was born in Compton, California. His nickname, Suge, derives from "Sugar Bear," a childhood nickname. He attended Lynwood High School in nearby Lynwood, California where he was a football and track star, graduating in 1983. From 1983 to 1985, he attended El Camino College on a football scholarship. In 1985, he transferred to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and played there for two years.