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After a stellar season with the Tennessee Volunteers, there are likely few 2024 NBA draft prospects more intriguing than Dalton Knecht.
One of the more NBA-ready prospects available in this draft, Knecht skyrocketed onto the national scene a year ago at Tennessee, going from mid-major prospect at Northern Colorado to a consensus All-American with the Volunteers. As a result of this as well, not only was Knecht a star across college basketball, but the talented wing also saw his NBA draft stock rise because of it.
With the NBA draft now looming in late-June as well, Knecht is now likely set to hear his name called early, potentially in the lottery. Will that happen however, and if it does, what team could select him?
Let’s take a look at Knecht’s NBA draft profile, which includes the likes of measurements, strengths, potential team fits, and more.
Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports
From: Thornton, CO
Played: Northeastern Junior College (CO) (2020-2021), Northern Colorado (2022-2023), Tennessee (2024)
2023-24 Stats: 21.7 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.8 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.6 BPG, 45.8 FG%, 39.7 3P%, 77.2 FT% across 36 games (36 starts)
Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Height: 6’5.25″
Weight: 212.2
Wingspan: 6’9
Standing Reach: 8’7.50″
Max Vertical Leap: 39 inches
Lon Horwedel-USA TODAY Sports
- The 2023-24 SEC Player of the Year’s biggest strength is likely his three-point shooting, which sat at an impressive 39.7% this past season at Tennessee. Since the 2021-22 campaign, Knecht has shot a combined 38.3% from three, and this elite skill should translate to the NBA immediately.
- Knecht is ready to make an impact right away in the NBA. In a draft class that you could say has some uncertainty in a few areas, the 23-year-old is a guarantee to play significant minutes right away.
- Knecht is a pure scorer. Of his 36 games at Tennessee this past season, 32 included scoring in double figures, with Knecht also having posted eight 30+ point performances.
- Knecht can fly around, and finish, above the rim. The talented wing had numerous highlight-reel dunks during his lone season at Tennessee this past year.
- Showed in 2023-24 at Tennessee that jump to higher level is not a problem. Knecht went from averaging 20.2 PPG at Northern Colorado in 2022-23 as a member of the Big Sky to averaging 21.7 PPG at Tennessee in 2023-24 as part of the SEC.
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
- Some teams could shy away from Knecht’s age at 23, as the Tennessee guard enters the NBA as a near finished prospect.
- Knecht was both a solid and versatile defender for one of college basketball’s top defensive teams a year ago, but will still likely have to improve in that area going forward.
- Similar to his defense, his individual playmaking ability to create his own shot is solid, but will still likely need to improve in that area going forward.
Grace Hollars/IndyStar-USA TODAY NETWORK
Draft Range: 5-15
CSW Mock: 9
Team Fits: Any team in the lottery looking for a win-now player who can instantly make an impact. Memphis, Oklahoma City, and Sacramento are three that come to mind.
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Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/2024-nba-draft-profile-tennessee-volunteers-dalton-knecht/