Former SEC Player of the Year Dalton Knecht wowed scouts at the NBA Combine on Monday afternoon with his pinpoint shooting from the perimeter and strong strength and conditioning measurements.
Knecht and other draft prospects will undergo several tests and on-court practices at the combine May 12-19, with several scouts and executives in attendance.
Knecht is 6 feet 5.25 pounds tall, weighs 212.2 pounds, and has a listed wingspan of 6 feet 9 inches and a standing reach of 8 feet 7.5 inches. The former Tennessee wing also had the third-highest vertical jump of any player at 39.0 inches.
Dalton Knecht's 39-inch vertical leap. That's the third-highest number ever at the NBA Draft Combine. pic.twitter.com/2kpWUuGNXq
— Jonathan Gibboney (@DraftExpress) May 13, 2024
More from RTI: Dalton Knecht to join young superstar in post-lottery mock draft
Dalton Knecht posted a fast time on the pro lane agility test at the NBA Draft Combine. pic.twitter.com/iNtYzbvnFA
— Jonathan Gibboney (@DraftExpress) May 13, 2024
When Knecht stepped onto the court to shoot the ball, he almost didn't miss. The former first-team All-American shined from both the perimeter and midrange, his strongest areas on the court, during his only season with the Tennessee Volunteers.
Dalton Knecht Automatic practicing 3-point shooting at the NBA Draft Combine. pic.twitter.com/3gigXRVF4t
— Jonathan Gibboney (@DraftExpress) May 13, 2024
More from RTI: Jonas Aidoo and John Calipari set to return to Knoxville during 2024-2025 season
Dalton Knecht's one-dribble jumper pic.twitter.com/EAZMQG4K69
— Will Gottlieb (@Will_Gottlieb) May 13, 2024
With the rearview mirror lottery now in place and the top 14 draft picks confirmed, many have begun their official mock drafts for this June's NBA Draft. Based on the first day's mock draft after the lottery, Knecht appears to be all but locked into a top-11 pick.
The most common prediction was that Knecht would land No. 8 overall to the San Antonio Spurs, who would also receive the No. 4 overall pick. Projections had Knecht going No. 10 overall to the Jazz and No. 11 to the Bulls, but he didn't finish any better. The 7th place Trail Blazers and 9th place Grizzlies are also interesting candidates for the former's Vol.2.
We'll likely see more from Knecht as the NBA Combine continues next week, but it was definitely a productive day for the future lottery pick.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more on Dalton Knecht's path to the NBA Draft at the combine this week. Click here for more information on Knecht's mock draft landing spots.