Dalton Knecht, a former transfer from Northern Colorado, has seen a meteoric rise in the basketball world, going from an unknown prospect to a consensus First Team All-American and SEC Player of the Year during his lone season with the Tennessee Vols. After leading the team to their second Elite Eight berth in program history, Knecht is now projected to be a lottery pick in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft.
Most mock drafts have Knecht going in the top 10, with ESPN projecting him to be selected by the Charlotte Hornets at No. 6. The San Antonio Spurs and Portland Trail Blazers are also reportedly interested in the sharpshooter. The draft will take place on June 26-27 at the Barclays Center, with the first round on Wednesday and the second round on Thursday.
Knecht’s standout season with Tennessee saw him average 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game while shooting nearly 46% from the field and nearly 40% from 3-point range. His performances earned him numerous accolades and award nominations, including a spot on every award watchlist and being a finalist for the Naismith Trophy and Wooden Award. Knecht’s 780 points last season rank as the second-most in a season in Vols history, behind only Allan Houston, and he had impressive scoring performances throughout the season, including several 30-point games.
Knecht’s journey from unknown transfer to NBA Draft prospect has been nothing short of remarkable, and his potential in the league has scouts and fans eager to see where he will land on draft night.
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