LOS ANGELES — NBA superstar and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James gave high praise to 17th overall pick and now teammate Dalton Knecht this week when asked about the former Tennessee standout at Team USA basketball practice.
"Throughout the course of the season, Dalton, besides Bronny, was my favorite player in college basketball," James said. "I just liked his ability to shoot the ball, his athleticism, his height, the demeanor that he played with."
Knecht was widely expected to be a top-10 pick in this year's draft but ultimately fell to 17th overall, where the Lakers selected him. James said he was surprised, but excited that Knecht was available at that spot.
"I did not think he would fall to 17 at all, so I didn't think we would have an opportunity to get him," James said. "I'm glad he did."
James had said during the NBA season that Knecht was on his radar as one of the top stars in college basketball, and now the two will have the opportunity to play with one another when the NBA season begins.
