The story of Dalton Knecht is one that America dreams of so much, almost a symbol of university sport and its famous “Cinderella Stories”. Arriving at high school standing less than 1.70m tall, Knecht (pronounced “connect”) had to take some difficult paths to NCAA glory. Spent two years at a Junior College after not having received any scholarship for university, his progress was as surprising as it was resounding. His transfer to Tennessee for his last year of eligibility granted following the season truncated by Covid-19 undoubtedly opened the doors to the NBA wide for him.
Because the former somewhat puny kid has become a hell of a basketball player, who took the Volunteers to the gates of the Final Four for the first time in their history, only falling by six points against Zach Edey's Purdue. That night, Dalton Knecht had scored 37 of his team's 66 points, an explosion in scoring in line with his magnificent season. The 23-year-old was probably the most complete forward, and one of the most electrifying to watch in the entire NCAA.
Having reached the end of his course, his rating was probably never high enough after being selected in the best 5 of the season. And rightly so, as his game seems cut out for the NBA style, between skill and basketball in motion. Adored by Tennessee supporters, Knecht can become one of the public's favorites, as much as a Top 10 player next season.
Profile
Job : winger
Size : 1m96
Weight : 96kg
Team : Tennessee Volunteers
Stats 2023/24: 21.4 points (at 45.8%), 4.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists in 30.6 minutes
Strong points
– Outside shooting. Knecht is from the caste of volume shooters, who can shoot from anywhere, already from NBA distance almost systematically, and this, giving the impression of minimal effort to shoot. Coming off the screen, his repositioning behind the arc is automatic and fluid (42.3% at 3-points on pass reception). He is just as skillful and consistent at mid-distance, after dribbling to find his preferred position.
– Verticality. Dalton Knecht is not only a fine triggerman but also a serious athlete, with a serious first step and one of the best vertical triggers measured during the Draft Combine. Enough to make defenses pay if they stick to him a little too closely from afar, especially since there is no question about climbing the post on the counter-attack or on a set play. His reading on pick-and-rolls seems reliable enough to be another weapon in the NBA, with more space.
Weak points
– Defense. Therein lies the paradox that prevented it from exploding earlier. Dalton Knecht seems faster with than without the ball, where his lateral movements leave something to be desired. The winger also lacks responsiveness when dribbling from his opponents, or when providing defensive assistance. The efforts are there, however, and Knecht did not hesitate to take on the best opposing outside team in the NCAA.
– Creativity with the ball in hand. A true “triple threat” attacker at university, Knecht sometimes lacks dribbling technique or support to create space when the defense is there. He then relies too much on his shooting or his size advantage, which he won't be able to do as much in the NBA. His possibly more limited role in attack during his first months could allow him to correct this, and improve his vision of the game, which is barely correct at this stage.
Comparison
A Bogdan Bogdanovic more relaxation and less creation, or a Grayson Allen when he left Duke, the bad image less.
Prognosis
End of Top 10his age should encourage franchises to turn to younger players with more established room for improvement.
