The 2024 NBA Draft is just over two weeks away. One of the most-NBA ready scorers is Dalton Knecht, the 6’6 shooting guard from Tennessee. The fifth-year Senior shot up draft boards this year after an unorthodox collegiate career which saw him spend his first two seasons at Northeastern Junior College, before transferring to Northern Colorado.

Knecht spent his final season of eligibility with the Volunteers, where he took the SEC by storm. He led the conference in scoring with 21.7 points per game, as well as being top three in three-point percentage at 39.7%. That helped him take home the SEC Player of the Year award.

Dalton Knecht is an idealistic jack-of-all-trades type guard offensively, so let’s dive into a full breakdown of his strengths and weaknesses.

Strengths

Elite Shotmaking – It’s no secret that Knecht was the tank engine behind the Volunteers’ high-octane offense this season. Knecht is a legitimate three-level scorer, who is just as deadly at finishing at the rim as he is on the perimeter. His offensive versatility is the aspect of his game that will translate seamlessly to the next level, as he’s comfortable and confident in taking and making tough shots from almost anywhere on the court.

Athleticism – Dalton Knecht isn’t just a pin-down or spot-up shooter, he has a fair share of explosive poster dunks from Tennessee too. He posted a 39-inch vertical leap at the draft combine. But his athleticism really shows with his lateral quickness, especially with backdoor cuts and off-ball movement.

Basketball IQ – As a fifth-year Senior, Knecht definitely played the game smoother and with more poise than some of his counterparts. He’s the kind of guy that does all the little things on the court. He’s a capable help defender, excellent at keeping the ball moving through traps, and routinely feasts on defensive mismatches.

Weaknesses

A Bit Trigger-Happy – Knecht knows that he’s good at putting the ball in the basket, but sometimes he forces the bill. He had multiple games last year where even if his shot wasn’t falling, he’d still fire away. He took 31 shots in Tennessee’s Elite Eight loss to Purdue.

One on One Defense – Knecht isn’t a terrible defender, but in isolation he typically was picked on more than his counterparts in college. He has good size and a 6’9 wingspan, so he’s effective at clogging passing lanes and can hold his own in team defensive settings.

Age – As with most upperclassmen who enter the draft, Knecht’s ceiling is a question mark due to the fact he’s already 23 years old. While he enters with advantages being a bit seasoned, there’s concern of his room for growth as he’ll be 27 when he finishes his rookie contract.

NBA Comparison: Gordon Hayward/Cam Thomas

His prowess as a scorer gives him the ability to pop off for 30 points any given night. His offensive skillset resembles Cam Thomas, but he’s three inches taller than Thomas, which definitely helps with tough shotmaking. Knecht’s ceiling could be what we saw from Gordon Hayward back in Utah. An athletic, all-star caliber, scoring wing that poses a threat with or without the ball offensively.

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