(Photo by Adam Hagee/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Las Vegas Summer League has concluded, and the All-NBA First and Second Teams for the 10-day event in the desert have been announced. The All-NBA Summer League team recognizes the 10 best players from Las Vegas, and while there were many deserving players, Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht stood out among the rest.
Knecht appeared in three games for the Lakers in Las Vegas. During that time, he averaged 21.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 steals while shooting 41.8 percent from the field, 39.1 percent from the three-point range and 81.8 percent from the free throw line. His scoring averages were the best among rookies.
The 23-year-old was arguably the Lakers' best and most consistent player, but that wasn't enough to earn him All-NBA Summer honors.
The teams were announced Monday, with two Memphis Grizzlies players and No. 3 overall pick Reed Shepard named to the first team, while two lottery picks and Jamie Jaquez Jr. were named to the second team.
of #NBA2KSummerLeague First team!
GG Jackson II
Jordan Miller
Scottie Pippen Jr.
Reed Shepherd
Kelel Ware pic.twitter.com/nKyfOU5WFG— NBA (@NBA) July 22, 2024
of #NBA2KSummerLeague Second team!
Bub Carrington
Donovan Clingan
Jaime Jaquez Jr.
Jaraeth Walker
Jalen Wilson pic.twitter.com/21py2vNbsE— NBA (@NBA) July 22, 2024
GG Jackson II and Scottie Pippen Jr. are the two Grizzlies players on the first team. Shepard, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, the Miami Heat's Kel'El Ware and the Los Angeles Clippers' Jordan Miller were named to the tournament's top honors.
Jarreiss Walker and Jaquez were two notable second-year players selected to the second team. Alongside them were Jalen Wilson, Donovan Clingan (7th overall pick) and Bub Carrington (14th overall pick). Both were technically drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers, but Carrington was traded to the Washington Wizards on draft day. Wilson was named the event's MVP.
Knecht could easily make a case for a spot on the second team, but perhaps they felt his efficiency and non-scoring numbers weren't good enough.
Dalton Knecht dreams of becoming the best NBA player
Dalton Knecht was one of the best players in college basketball last year, named SEC Player of the Year and an All-American, but it came as a surprise to everyone when he was selected 17th overall by the Lakers.
His offensive skills are well known, being not only a great range shooter but also possessing the ability to attack the basketball, perhaps most importantly is his mindset where he has never been afraid of big moments and has always felt like he was the best player on the court.
And that belief in himself continues at the NBA level: In an interview with ESPN, Knecht said his goal is to ultimately become the best player in the NBA and win a lot of championships.
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