Breaking news: Former Tennessee Volunteer Dalton Knecht set for first All-Star appearance after hectic week. Read more below.
Dalton Knecht took the NBA by storm in November with an impressive stretch for the Lakers, including a remarkable 37-point performance against the Utah Jazz. Drafted by the Lakers with the 17th overall pick, many people were left wondering how he fell that far in the draft. His teammates quickly learned just how talented the Tennessee product truly is.
February proved to be a wild month for the rookie, as he was traded to the Charlotte Hornets. Just two days later, he learned he was heading back to Los Angeles after the Lakers rescinded the trade. However, Knecht soon discovered that the Hornets were still pushing to finalize the deal.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, one thing remained clear: Dalton Knecht was invited to compete in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday night. The tournament features four teams, with the winning squad earning the chance to play in the All-Star game on Sunday night. Knecht made his presence known early, hitting a three-pointer to start the game.
Knecht played for Team Chris Mullen, which included some of the NBA’s top rookies. His dominant team featured Zach Edey, Keyonte George, and Stephon Castle. Team Mullen secured two wins against Team Tim and Team G-League, coached by Jeremy Lin.
The rookie from Tennessee finished the game with 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. Winning the tournament allowed Knecht to make his first All-Star game as a rookie—an achievement that doesn’t come around often.
Team Chris Mullen will face Team Shaq, which means Knecht will go head-to-head with his teammate LeBron James. The two have developed a special on-court chemistry, but on Sunday night, they’ll be opponents for the first time in their careers. This matchup will be an exciting moment for both players, marking a new chapter in their careers.
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