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Former Tennessee star gets back on track with dominant Summer League performance

Former Tennessee Volunteer Dalton Knecht looked back to his best form in his summer league appearance against the San Antonio Spurs.
BySam Fariss|
Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht (3) celebrates a three-point basket against Purdue during the second half of the NCAA tournament Midwest Regional Elite 8 on Sunday, March 31, 2024.
Tennessee guard Dalton Knecht (3) celebrates a three-point basket against Purdue during the second half of the NCAA tournament Midwest Regional Elite 8 on Sunday, March 31, 2024. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

In a one-point Summer League victory for the Los Angeles Lakers, former Tennessee Volunteers star Dalton Knecht shone brighter than most.

With the second-most points and second-most rebounds on the team, Knecht was a massive reason the Lakers pulled off the slim victory over the San Antonio Spurs.

Dalton Knecht vs. San Antonio Spurs

  • 29 minutes
  • 25 points
  • 8 rebounds

Knecht was only outscored and out-rebounded by 2019 first-round draft pick Darius Bazley, who only just joined the Lakers this offseason. The former Vol outscored the likes of LeBron "Bronny" James Jr., former UNC star RJ Davis, and more highly-touted young stars.

Last year, during his rookie season, Knecht found himself bouncing between teams as the Lakers traded him, alongside Cam Reddish, to the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams. However, just a few days later, Knecht was back in Los Angeles, with Williams having failed his team physical.

Now, Knecht is looking to prove his worth to the Lakers once again. During his first year in the league, he averaged 9.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game, a far cry from the numbers he produced while playing for Tennessee.

Dalton Knecht season stats (2023-24)

  • 21.7 points per game
  • 4.9 rebounds per game
  • 1.8 assists per game

After transferring to play for the Vols in 2023, coming from Northern Colorado, Knecht started in all 36 games that Tennessee played, becoming a leader both on and off the court. He even led the Volunteers to an appearance in the Elite Eight, where he scored a resounding 37 points in Tennessee's 72-66 loss to Purdue.

Also read: The NBA is learning what Tennessee fans already knew about Jahmai Mashack

The next time the Lakers and Knecht tip off will be on Thursday, July 10, at 8 p.m. ET versus the Dallas Mavericks, who selected Duke's Cooper Flagg first overall in the 2025 NBA Draft.

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