Dalton Knecht had to wait a little bit longer than expected to hear commissioner Adam Silver call his name during the 2024 NBA Draft.
But when the Los Angeles Lakers selected Knecht with the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday night, the SEC Player of the Year made sure to shoutout Tennessee.
Knecht was rocking an all black suit but the lining of his suit was orange with a white Power T on one side and a list of all his accomplishments in his lone year on the other side. Oh and he also shouted out Tennessee baseball for winning the National Championship in his interview with ESPN.
“You know I’ve got to support Vol nation and shoutout the baseball team and stuff like that for winning,” Knecht said. “I’m excited.”
Dalton Knecht put his accolades inside his suit, represented Tennessee on the right side and then gave a shoutout to Tennessee baseball. pic.twitter.com/bvzq3cSp9p
— Karthik Venkataraman (@KarthikV_) June 27, 2024
Knecht had one of the best single seasons in Tennessee program history, averaging 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He was even better in SEC play where he averaged 25.5 points per game on 48% shooting from the field and 42% shooting from three-point range.
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The 6-foot-6 wing was the SEC Player of the Year, a consensus First Team All-American and led Tennessee to a SEC Regular-Season Championship and the second Elite Eight appearance in program history.
Knecht also made an appearance at a Tennessee baseball game this season, throwing out the first pitch in game three of the Vols’ weekend series against LSU. Tennessee defeated the defending National Champion Tigers 8-4 that afternoon to complete the series sweep at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
SEC Player of the Year Dalton Knecht delivers the first pitch before the LSU Sunday finale in Knoxville pic.twitter.com/MLxPrBtgGk
— Rocky Top Insider (@rockytopinsider) April 14, 2024
Tennessee baseball obviously went on to win its first ever National Championship just months after Vol basketball tied its deepest run in program history.
