Dalton Knecht, a rookie who had a fantastic night in the NBA Cup on Tuesday, has been discovered by the Los Angeles Lakers. With a career-high 37 points, Knecht helped the Lakers defeat the Utah Jazz 124-118 for the sixth consecutive victory. He tied the rookie single-game record with 12-of-16 field goals, including nine three-pointers.
The former Tennessee star outscored the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, surpassing his previous high of 27 points. LeBron James gave his 23-year-old teammate even more praise following their victory over the Jazz, but he also made sure to criticise his detractors. “Everybody on the internet calls me a liar all the time, what am I now?” the Lakers player asked in a Spectrum SportsNet video. “I’ve admitted that I watched him and Tennessee a lot.”
When James claimed that Knecht was his favourite college player following the Lakers’ No. 17 overall draft selection, he was alluding to the criticism he received for his remarks. “I did not think he was going to fall to us,” the four-time MVP, who finished the game with 12 assists and 26 points, said. “I believed it would not be feasible. We’re quite appreciative and delighted that he’s here, but I’m not sure how it happened. “I knew exactly what we were getting (from Knecht).”
Knecht was selected to the Midwest Regional All-Tournament Team, which also included Memphis Grizzlies freshman Zach Edey, and he guided the Volunteers to the NCAA Tournament’s Elite Eight during his one-season tenure at Tennessee. Knecht scored 26.0 points on 62.7% shooting, including 59.3% from long range, and pulled down 5.0 rebounds per game in his last three starts.