Dalton Douglas Knecht born April 19, 2001 is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He previously played college basketball for the Northeastern JC Plainsmen, the Northern Colorado Bears, and the Tennessee Volunteers.
Dalton Knecht Biography 2024
Knecht began his college basketball journey at Northeastern Junior College in Sterling, Colorado. He experienced another growth spurt between his high school senior season and his freshman year with the Plainsmen, growing an additional two inches. During his freshman season, he averaged 13.3 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game. As a sophomore, Knecht’s performance improved significantly, averaging 23.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2 assists per game. Over his time at Northeastern, he grew an additional three inches, reaching a height of 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m). He later committed to transferring to Northern Colorado to further his college career.
In his first season with the Northern Colorado Bears, Knecht averaged 8.9 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. As a senior, he emerged as a standout player, leading the Big Sky Conference with 20.2 points per game while also contributing 7.2 rebounds per game. After his senior season, Knecht took advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted to athletes due to the COVID-19 pandemic and entered the NCAA transfer portal to continue his college career.
Dalton Knecht Biography Details
| Born | April 19, 2001 (age 23)
Fargo, North Dakota, U.S. |
|---|
| Listed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
|---|
| Listed weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
|---|
| High school | Prairie View
(Henderson, Colorado) |
|---|
| College | - Northeastern JC (2019–2021)
- Northern Colorado (2021–2023)
- Tennessee (2023–2024)
|
|---|
| NBA draft | 2024: 1st round, 17th overall pick |
|---|
Dalton Knecht Early Life
Knecht was born in Fargo, North Dakota, to parents Corey and Carrie Knecht, and was raised in Thornton, Colorado, where he attended Prairie View High School. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches (1.73 m) as a sophomore, he experienced a significant growth spurt, reaching 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) by his junior year. As a senior, Knecht averaged 21 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, showcasing his scoring ability and all-around skills.
Dalton Knecht Professional Career Overview
Category | Details |
Position | Small Forward |
NBA Team | Los Angeles Lakers |
NBA Draft | 17th overall pick, 2024 NBA Draft |
Playing Career | 2024–present |
Early Life and High School Background
Category | Details |
Full Name | Dalton Douglas Knecht |
Date of Birth | April 19, 2001 |
Place of Birth | Fargo, North Dakota, USA |
High School | Prairie View High School, Thornton, CO |
Height (at Junior Year) | 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) |
High School Stats | 21 points, 6.5 rebounds per game (Senior Year) |
College Career Overview
College Team | Years Played |
Northeastern JC | 2019–2021 |
Northern Colorado | 2021–2023 |
Tennessee | 2023–2024 |
College Performance at Northeastern Junior College
Season | Games Played (GP) | Points per Game (PPG) | Rebounds per Game (RPG) | Assists per Game (APG) |
2019–20 (Freshman) | 31 | 13.3 | 2.9 | 1.1 |
2020–21 (Sophomore) | 20 | 23.9 | 7.5 | 2.0 |
Performance at Northern Colorado
Season | Games Played (GP) | Points per Game (PPG) | Rebounds per Game (RPG) | Assists per Game (APG) |
2021–22 | 35 | 8.9 | 3.6 | 0.9 |
2022–23 | 32 | 20.2 | 7.2 | 1.8 |
Performance at Tennessee
Season | Games Played (GP) | Points per Game (PPG) | Rebounds per Game (RPG) | Assists per Game (APG) |
2023–24 | 36 | 21.7 | 4.9 | 1.8 |
Career Honors and Achievements
Award | Year | Details |
SEC Player of the Year | 2024 | Named by both coaches and AP |
SEC Newcomer of the Year | 2024 | AP awarded for exceptional first season performance |
Consensus All-American | 2024 | First-team honors |
Julius Erving Award | 2024 | Awarded for top small forward |
NBA Draft Details
Draft Year | Team Selected By | Overall Pick |
2024 | Los Angeles Lakers | 17th Overall Pick |
Professional Career Los Angeles Lakers
Season | Games Played (GP) | Points per Game (PPG) | Minutes per Game (MPG) |
2024–present | TBD | TBD | TBD |
College Stats Summary
College Career Total | Games Played (GP) | Points per Game (PPG) | Rebounds per Game (RPG) | Assists per Game (APG) |
Career | 103 | 16.9 | 5.2 | 1.5 |
College 3-Point and Free Throw Performance
College Career | 3P% | FT% |
Overall | .383 | .768 |
College Career Northeastern JC to Tennessee
College Stage | Points per Game (PPG) | Rebounds per Game (RPG) | Assists per Game (APG) |
Northeastern JC (Freshman) | 13.3 | 2.9 | 1.1 |
Northeastern JC (Sophomore) | 23.9 | 7.5 | 2.0 |
Northern Colorado (2021–22) | 8.9 | 3.6 | 0.9 |
Northern Colorado (2022–23) | 20.2 | 7.2 | 1.8 |
Tennessee (2023–24) | 21.7 | 4.9 | 1.8 |
Key Career Highlights
Category | Details |
Career High Points | 40 points (Senior Night, 2024 vs. Kentucky) |
Notable Game | 39 points (2024 vs. Auburn, SEC Tournament) |
NBA Debut 2024
Date | Opponent | Points Scored |
October 22, 2024 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 5 |
Career Projection Future with the Lakers
Season | Projected Role | Performance Expectation |
2024–25 | Key rotation player | High potential contributor |
Dalton Knecht Net Worth
Dalton Knecht’s net worth stands at an impressive $750,000.
Dalton Knecht Summary
Dalton Knecht impressive journey from high school in Thornton, Colorado to the NBA is marked by his rapid growth and development. His collegiate career saw him dominate at Northeastern JC, earn All-Big Sky honors at Northern Colorado, and achieve SEC Player of the Year accolades in his final season at Tennessee. His selection by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2024 NBA Draft sets the stage for what promises to be an exciting professional career. Knecht’s versatility and scoring ability make him a key prospect to watch in the coming seasons.
