Lakers Draft Dalton Knecht
The Los Angeles Lakers selected Dalton Knecht with the 17th overall pick in the first round of the draft, opting not to choose LeBron James’ eldest son, Bronny James. This decision has garnered approval from many media outlets and fans, especially after an old video of LeBron praising Knecht resurfaced and went viral online.
LeBron’s Praise for Knecht
Two months ago, during the NCAA tournament, Knecht’s Tennessee team faced off against Purdue in the Elite Eight. Knecht had an impressive performance, scoring 37 points with 14 out of 31 field goals and six three-pointers. However, Purdue’s Chinese-Canadian center Zach Edey scored 40 points and grabbed 16 rebounds, leading his team to a 72-66 victory over Tennessee.
LeBron’s Comments
LeBron James mentioned this game in an interview, saying, “You watch Purdue because of Zach Edey, he’s a great player. We watched the Purdue-Tennessee game because of Edey and Knecht.”
Knecht’s Reaction
Knecht vividly remembers this moment. He shared in an interview, “I rolled out of bed thinking it was a dream. So many people messaged me about it. When I saw the video, I couldn’t help but smile. My parents called me immediately to tell me about it.” Knecht added, “It will be fun to play alongside Anthony Davis and LeBron James. LeBron is one of the greatest players ever, and this is something very special.”
Excitement Among Fans
The revelation of LeBron’s previous praise for Knecht has heightened excitement among Lakers fans. The prospect of Knecht playing with stars like Davis and James has fans eagerly anticipating the upcoming season.
Knecht’s Potential Impact
Knecht’s impressive college performance and endorsement from LeBron have set high expectations for his NBA debut. Fans and analysts alike are keen to see how he will contribute to the Lakers’ roster.
Looking Forward
As the Lakers integrate their new rookie into the team, the anticipation continues to build. With LeBron’s positive remarks and Knecht’s promising potential, the Lakers’ future looks bright. (Bouncingball8)