Dalton Knecht, born on April 19, 2001, in Fargo, North Dakota, is an American professional basketball player who plays as a small forward and shooting guard for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.
Early Life and Education: Knecht grew up in Thornton, Colorado, and attended Prairie View High School, where he averaged 21 points and 6.5 rebounds per game as a senior.
College Career:
- Northeastern Junior College (2019–2021): Knecht began his collegiate career at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado, where he averaged 13.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game as a freshman. He improved to 23.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2 assists per game as a sophomore.
- Northern Colorado (2021–2023): He transferred to Northern Colorado, leading the Big Sky Conference with 20.2 points per game and adding 7.2 rebounds per game in his senior year. He earned second-team All-Big Sky honors in 2023.
- University of Tennessee (2023–2024): Knecht joined the University of Tennessee for his final collegiate season. He was named SEC Player of the Year and SEC Newcomer of the Year in 2024. Notably, he scored a career-high 40 points against Kentucky on March 9, 2024.
Professional Career: The Los Angeles Lakers selected Knecht with the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. He signed with the team on July 3, 2024. Knecht made an immediate impact, scoring 37 points, including nine three-pointers, in a victory over the Utah Jazz on November 19, 2024. He also set a then career-high with 39 points against Auburn on February 29, 2024.
In February 2025, the Lakers traded Knecht to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for center Mark Williams. However, the trade was rescinded due to a failed physical by Williams, resulting in Knecht’s return to the Lakers.
As of March 2025, Knecht is averaging 9.2 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game for the Lakers, shooting 46.7% from the field.
Recently, on March 14, 2025, during a game against the Denver Nuggets, Knecht led a significant comeback for the Lakers. Despite technical issues affecting the broadcast, reports confirm his pivotal role in the team’s performance.
Knecht’s journey from college standout to NBA professional highlights his resilience and adaptability, establishing him as a valuable asset to the Lakers.