Los Angeles Lakers first-round pick Cameron Carr said his transition to the NBA is eased by a familiar face in the locker room: third-year guard Dalton Knecht, his former teammate at the University of Tennessee.
During his introductory press conference, Carr recalled arriving in Knoxville as a 17-year-old freshman while Knecht was leading the Volunteers to an Elite Eight berth and earning First Team All-America honors. Carr described Knecht as the player he tried to mirror, especially when it came to preparation.
“I’ve been in communication with him since my freshman year,” Carr said. “I walked onto campus, he was a little bit older than me and he was someone I tried to copy. He knew what it took to be successful, so as much as I could take away from him at that time, I did. Our connection is still strong. That’s still my guy.”
Knecht’s NBA role with the Lakers has been limited to this point, but his collegiate résumé and reputation for relentless work remain unquestioned. Carr believes those habits helped shape his own development.
After two seasons in Knoxville, Carr transferred to Baylor University, where he averaged 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 blocks while shooting 37.4 percent from three-point range. The Lakers hope that scoring punch, combined with Carr’s athleticism and defensive upside, will translate at the professional level.
Carr added that he is eager to learn from established Lakers guards Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, saying he plans to “be a sponge” around the veteran backcourt.
The rookie now enters training camp with both a longtime mentor in Knecht and two accomplished teammates to guide him through his first NBA season.
Source: Lakers Nation
