Dalton Knecht

Knecht is the son of Corey and Carrie Knecht.{{cite web |title=Dalton Knecht - Men's Basketball |url=https://utsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/dalton-knecht/19129 |website=University of Tennessee Athletics |access-date=26 July 2024 |language=en}} Knecht was born in Fargo, North Dakota and grew up in Thornton, Colorado, attending Prairie View High School.{{Cite web |last=Bowlin |first=Ryan |date=2024-06-27 |title=#NDProud: Fargo Born Dalton Knecht Drafted No. 17 by LA Lakers |url=https://www.kvrr.com/2024/06/27/ndproud-fargo-born-dalton-knecht-drafted-no-17-by-la-lakers/ |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=KVRR Local News |language=en-US}}{{cite web|url=https://www.9news.com/article/sports/ncaa/ncaab/dalton-knecht-helping-lead-northern-colorado-basketball/73-53876faa-0521-4477-ada1-62f87c093342|title=Colorado native Dalton Knecht helping lead UNC basketball|first=Jacob|last=Tobey|website=9news.com|date=January 28, 2023|access-date=November 11, 2023}}{{Cite web |last=Peterson |first=Eric |date=2024-06-27 |title=PHOTOS: Tennessee's Dalton Knecht set to join LeBron in LA as Enderlin celebrates |url=https://www.jamestownsun.com/sports/pro/photos-tennessees-dalton-knecht-set-to-join-lebron-in-la-as-enderlin-celebrates |access-date=2024-06-29 |website=Jamestown Sun |language=en}} He entered his sophomore year at {{Height|ft=5|in=8|abbr=mos}} and grew to {{Height|ft=6|in=1|abbr=mos}} by his junior year.{{cite web|url=https://www.rockytoptalk.com/2023/4/21/23693543/northern-colorado-transfer-dalton-knecht-commits-to-tennessee-vols-basketball|title=Northern Colorado transfer Dalton Knecht commits to Tennessee|first=Terry A.|last=Lambert|website=RockyTopTalk.com|publisher=SB Nation|date=April 21, 2023|access-date=November 11, 2023}} Knecht averaged 21 points and 6.5 rebounds per game as a senior.{{Cite web |last=Watson-Fisher |first=Jadyn |date=November 12, 2020 |title=Northern Colorado athletic programs add 20 signees to 2021 rosters |url=https://www.fortmorgantimes.com/2020/11/12/university-northern-colorado-adds-20-freshmen-2021/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |website=The Fort Morgan Times}}

Knecht began his college basketball career at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado.{{Cite web |title=Dalton Knecht |url=https://www.gonjc.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/knecht_dalton_53ud |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=Northeastern Junior College |language=en}} He grew another two inches between his senior high school season and his first season with the Plainsmen. Knecht averaged 13.3 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game as a freshman.{{Cite web |last=Pisani |first=Hart |date=November 12, 2020 |title=NJC's Dalton Knecht signs with UNC Bears |url=https://www.journal-advocate.com/2020/11/12/njcs-dalton-knecht-signs-with-unc-bears/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |website=Journal-Advocate}} He averaged 23.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and two assists per game as a sophomore.{{cite web|url=https://www.on3.com/teams/tennessee-volunteers/news/tennessee-vols-basketball-dalton-knecht-scorer-shoot-feel-good-going-in/|title=In Italy Dalton Knecht showed why when he shoots 'you feel good about it going in'|first=Grant|last=Ramey|website=On3.com|date=August 9, 2023|access-date=November 11, 2023}} Knecht grew another three inches during his time playing at Northeastern Junior College to bring his height to {{Height|ft=6|in=6|abbr=mos}}. He committed to transfer to Northern Colorado to continue his college career.

Knecht averaged 8.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in his first season with the Northern Colorado Bears.{{cite web |last=Ankony |first=Jack |date=April 5, 2023 |title=Indiana To Meet With Northern Colorado Transfer Dalton Knecht |url=https://www.si.com/college/indiana/basketball/indiana-basketball-to-meet-with-northern-colorado-transfer-dalton-knecht |access-date=November 11, 2023 |website=SI.com}} As a senior, he led the Big Sky Conference with 20.2 points per game and averaged 7.2 rebounds per game.{{Cite web |last=Watson-Fisher |first=Jadyn |date=March 14, 2023 |title=Dalton Knecht becomes fourth Bear to earn NABC All-District honors |url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2023/03/14/dalton-knecht-northern-colorado-basketball-nabc-all-district-team/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |website=Greeley Tribune}} After the season, Knecht decided to utilize the extra year of eligibility granted to college athletes who played in the 2020–21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic and entered the NCAA transfer portal.{{Cite web |last=Watson-Fisher |first=Jadyn |date=March 23, 2023 |title=Northern Colorado men’s basketball: Dalton Knecht enters transfer portal |url=https://www.greeleytribune.com/2023/03/23/northern-colorado-basketball-dalton-knecht-transfer-portal/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |website=Greeley Tribune}}

Knecht transferred to Tennessee for the 2023–24 season.{{cite web |last1=Moore |first1=CJ |last2=Vecenie |first2=Sam |date=April 21, 2023 |title=Former Northern Colorado guard Dalton Knecht transfers to Tennessee |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4438439/2023/04/21/northern-colorado-dalton-knecht-tennessee/ |access-date=November 11, 2023 |website=The Athletic |via=The New York Times}}{{cite web |date=November 11, 2023 |title=Dalton Knecht offers what Tennessee basketball has been missing |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/mens-basketball/2023/11/11/dalton-knecht-tennessee-basketball-wisconsin-score-rick-barnes-santiago-vescovi-zakai-zeigler/71321174007/ |url-access=subscription |access-date=November 11, 2023 |work=Knoxville News Sentinel}} He was named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Week for the first week of the season after scoring 17 points in the Volunteers' season-opening win over Tennessee Tech and 24 points with five rebounds in an 80–70 road victory over Wisconsin on November 10, 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/college/tennessee/mens-basketball/dalton-knecht-sec-player-of-the-week|title=Dalton Knecht Named SEC Player Of The Week|first=Jonathan|last=Lidskin|website=SI.com|date=November 14, 2023|access-date=November 17, 2023}} Knecht scored a then-career-high 37 points in a 100–92 loss to North Carolina on November 29, 2023.{{Cite web |last=Paschall |first=David |date=November 29, 2023 |title=Knecht's 37 points not enough as Vols fall at North Carolina |url=https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2023/nov/29/knechts-37-points-not-enough-as-vols-fall-at/ |access-date=December 15, 2023 |website=Chattanooga Times Free Press}} He was named the SEC Player of the Week a second time on January 15, 2024, after scoring 28 points in a 77–72 loss to Mississippi State and 36 points in an 85–79 win over Georgia.{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Noah |date=January 15, 2024 |title=Vols' guard Dalton Knecht named Co-SEC Player of the Week |url=https://tennessee.rivals.com/news/vols-guard-dalton-knecht-named-co-sec-player-of-the-week |access-date=January 17, 2024 |website=Rivals.com}} Knecht set a then career high with 39 points in an 85–66 win over Florida on January 16, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Wilson |first=Mike |date=January 16, 2024 |title=Dalton Knecht scorches Florida as Tennessee basketball rolls Gators |url=https://www.knoxnews.com/story/sports/college/university-of-tennessee/mens-basketball/2024/01/16/tennessee-basketball-score-florida-dalton-knecht/72121121007/ |access-date=2024-03-08 |website=Knoxville News Sentinel |language=en-US}} On February 29, 2024, Knecht tied his then-career high with 39 points against 11th-ranked Auburn in a 92–84 win.{{Cite web |title=Auburn Tigers vs. Tennessee Volunteers Live Score and Stats - February 28, 2024 Gametracker |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/gametracker/live/NCAAB_20240228_AUBURN@TENN/ |access-date=March 6, 2024 |website=CBS Sports |language=en}} On March 9, 2024, Knecht set a new career high on senior night with 40 points in an 85–81 loss to 15th-ranked Kentucky.{{Cite web |last=Rexrode |first=Joe |date=March 10, 2024 |title=Vols' loss to Kentucky despite Dalton Knecht's 40 makes SEC tournament mission clear |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5329162/2024/03/10/tennessee-vols-kentucky-dalton-knecht-sec-tournament/ |access-date=2024-06-28 |website=The New York Times |language=en-US}}

Knecht was named SEC Player of the Year by both the league's coaches{{cite press release |url=https://www.secsports.com/news/2024/03/2024-sec-mens-basketball-awards-announced |title=2024 SEC Men's Basketball Awards announced |publisher=Southeastern Conference |date=March 11, 2024 |access-date=March 11, 2024}} and the Associated Press (AP).{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/all-sec-team-a64c6f42fd83f4dfb4b3cebec5902000 |title=Tennessee's Dalton Knecht named AP's SEC player of year; South Carolina's Paris is coach of year |first=John |last=Zenor |agency=Associated Press |date=March 12, 2024 |access-date=March 12, 2024}} He was also named SEC Newcomer of the Year by the AP.{{efn|The Newcomer of the Year award is one of two awards presented to the top player in his first season of SEC play. The league's coaches vote on a Freshman of the Year award, restricted to players in their first season playing college basketball; this award went to Kentucky's Reed Sheppard in 2024.}}

Knecht was selected with the 17th overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2024 NBA draft{{cite web |last=McMenamin |first=Dave |date=June 27, 2024 |title=Lakers thrilled with Dalton Knecht pick: 'Extraordinary' value |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40441805 |access-date=June 27, 2024 |website=ESPN.com}} and he signed with them on July 3, 2024.{{cite web |date=July 3, 2024 |title=Los Angeles Lakers Sign Dalton Knecht and Bronny James |url=https://www.nba.com/lakers/news/los-angeles-lakers-sign-dalton-knecht-and-bronny-james-070324 |access-date=July 3, 2024 |website=NBA.com}}

Knecht made his NBA debut on October 22, 2024, in a 110–103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, scoring 5 points.{{cite web |date=October 26, 2024 |title=Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Lakers Box Score, October 22, 2024 |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/202410220LAL.html |access-date=October 26, 2024 |website=Basketball-Reference.com}} On November 13, Knecht scored a then career-high 19 points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field with 5-of-5 shooting from three-point range in a 128–123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.{{cite web |last=Gomez |first=Michael Aaron |date=November 14, 2024 |title=JJ Redick shouts out true 'catalyst' for Lakers' comeback win vs. Grizzlies |url=https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-jj-redick-shouts-out-true-catalyst-comeback-win-grizzlies |access-date=November 14, 2024 |website=ClutchPoints}} Three days later, he broke this record, scoring a then career-high 27 points along with seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals in a 104–99 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.{{cite web|url=https://clutchpoints.com/lakers-news-dalton-knecht-new-career-high-3-quarters-pelicans|title=Dalton Knecht sets new career-high in just 3 quarters vs. Pelicans|website=ClutchPoints|last=Yapkowitz|first=David|date=November 16, 2024|access-date=November 16, 2024}} On November 19, Knecht scored a career-high 37 points, including nine three-pointers, in a 124–118 victory against the Utah Jazz. He also tied the record for the most three-pointers made in a single game by a rookie in NBA history.{{Cite web |last=Woike |first=Dan |date=November 19, 2024 |title=Red-hot Dalton Knecht scores 37 points as Lakers win sixth in a row |url=https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2024-11-19/los-angeles-lakers-utah-jazz-nba-dalton-knecht |access-date=November 20, 2024 |work=Los Angeles Times}}

On February 6, 2025, the Lakers agreed to trade Knecht, Cam Reddish, a future first-round pick, and a pick swap to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for Mark Williams.{{cite web |date=February 6, 2025 |title=Los Angeles Lakers Acquire Center Mark Williams |url=https://www.nba.com/lakers/news/los-angeles-lakers-acquire-center-mark-williams-02062025 |website=NBA.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250207062711/https://www.nba.com/lakers/news/los-angeles-lakers-acquire-center-mark-williams-02062025 |archive-date=2025-02-07 |url-status=dead }} However, the trade was rescinded two days later after Williams failed his physical with the Lakers.{{cite web |last=McDaniel |first=Mike |date=February 8, 2025 |title=Trade Sending Mark Williams to Lakers, Dalton Knecht to Hornets Rescinded |url=https://www.si.com/nba/trade-sending-mark-williams-to-lakers-dalton-knecht-to-hornets-rescinded |access-date=February 8, 2025 |website=Sports Illustrated}}

{{NBA player statistics legend}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2024}}

| style="text-align:left;"|L.A. Lakers

| 78 || 16 || 19.2 || .461 || .376 || .862 || 2.8 || .8 || .3 || .1 || 9.1

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career

| 78 || 16 || 19.2 || .461 || .376 || .862 || 2.8 || .8 || .3 || .1 || 9.1

{{s-end}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22

| style="text-align:left;"| Northern Colorado

| 35 || 11 || 24.1 || .436 || .361 || .753 || 3.6 || .9 || .5 || .5 || 8.9

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2022–23

| style="text-align:left;"| Northern Colorado

| 32 || 32 || 35.3 || .479 || .381 || .771 || 7.2 || 1.8 || .8 || .6 || 20.2

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2023–24

| style="text-align:left;"| Tennessee

| 36 || 36 || 30.6 || .458 || .397 || .772 || 4.9 || 1.8 || .7 || .6 || 21.7

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 103 || 79 || 29.8 || .461 || .383 || .768 || 5.2 || 1.5 || .7 || .6 || 16.9

{{S-end}}

{{NBA player statistics start}}

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20

| style="text-align:left;"| Northeastern JC

| 31 || 14 || — || .504 || .451 || .786 || 2.9 || 1.1 || .5 || .3 || 13.3

|-

| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21

| style="text-align:left;"| Northeastern JC

| 20 || 20 || — || .512 || .395 || .818 || 7.5 || 2.0 || .7 || .5 || 23.9

|- class="sortbottom"

| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career

| 51 || 34 || — || .508 || .432 || .807 || 4.7 || 1.5 || .6 || .3 || 17.5

{{S-end}}

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{basketballstats|nba=1642261}}

• [https://utsports.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/dalton-knecht/19129 Tennessee Volunteers bio]
• [https://uncbears.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/dalton-knecht/8841 Northern Colorado Bears bio]
• [https://www.gonjc.com/sports/mbkb/2020-21/bios/knecht_dalton_53ud Northeastern Plainsmen bio]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Knecht, Dalton}}

Category:2001 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century American sportsmen

Category:All-American college men's basketball players

Category:American men's basketball players

Category:Basketball players from Colorado

Category:Basketball players from North Dakota

Category:Junior college men's basketball players in the United States

Category:Los Angeles Lakers draft picks

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Category:People from Thornton, Colorado

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Category:Sportspeople from Fargo, North Dakota

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Category:Tennessee Volunteers basketball players