Los Angeles Lakers guard Dalton Knecht returned to Tennessee this week to lead his first youth basketball camp in Knoxville, describing the hometown event as “really special.”
“To have my first camp, especially in Knoxville, means a lot,” Knecht told participants. “You all gave so much to me. The biggest thing today is to have fun.”
Knecht became a fan favorite during his lone season with the University of Tennessee in 2023-24, when the 6-foot-6 wing averaged 21.7 points and 4.9 rebounds while shooting 46.1% from the field and 39.7% from three-point range. He credited the city’s warm reception for his decision to stage the camp there. “If I was out at a restaurant, they’d always come up and say what’s up,” he said. “At the games they really embraced me. I came in as a transfer, and the city came to love me.”
The offseason appearance comes amid uncertainty about Knecht’s NBA future. A rescinded trade involving then-Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams in 2025 left his role in Los Angeles unsettled, and league sources said the Lakers aggressively explored deals for the 2024 No. 17 overall pick at last season’s trade deadline. The organization is expected to revisit trade options this summer.
For now, the 25-year-old is focused on giving back to a community he considers a second home. Knoxville’s continued support, he said, makes it likely he will return for future camps regardless of where his professional career leads.
Source: LakersNation.com
