Overview
Knecht was born in Fargo, North Dakota but grew up in Thornton, Colorado, where he attended Prairie View High School. While Knecht averaged 21.0 points and 6.5 rebounds as a senior, he was only 6-foot-1 at the time and did not receive any Division I offers. Knecht opted to begin his college career at Northeastern Junior College, where he grew an additional five inches over two years. In 2021, Knecht transferred to Northern Colorado, spending two seasons with the Bears before committing to Tennessee for his fifth and final year of eligibility. While Knecht established himself as a big-time scorer at Northern Colorado, he truly burst onto the scene in the SEC, bringing home conference Player of the Year honors and finishing the 2023-24 season as a consensus All-American. Across 36 games (30.6 MPG), Knecht posted 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 2.6 3s per game while shooting 45.8% from the field and 39.7% from deep.
Analysis
Knecht is one of the more unique and polished players in the 2024 Draft class, though at age 23 there’s a chance that teams could view him as a relatively low-ceiling prospect. Still, Knecht has excellent size and is comfortable handling the ball, shooting off the catch and pulling up off the dribble from well beyond the 3-point line. Knecht’s confidence and seemingly unlimited range are what make him such a dangerous offensive player. He’s not overly quick or athletic, but defenders are forced to respect his ability to pull up at a moment’s notice. Knecht had 11 games with at least four made 3s last season, including a 6-for-12 performance in the Vols’ Elite 8 loss to Purdue. The 6-foot-6 wing tends to run hot and cold, but when he’s locked in, he’s one of the most difficult players in the country to stop. Defensively, Knecht will almost certainly be a liability at the NBA level. Improving his quickness and positioning will be key points of emphasis. Even so, he’s a heady player on both ends, so the hope is that his instincts and IQ help offset some of the physical limitations.
Projection
Knecht profiles as a potential lottery pick in a 2024 Draft class littered with uncertainty. Unlike many players who may come off the board before him, Knecht should be the type of prospect who could contribute to a playoff-caliber team right away. He may have to learn the ropes of settling in as a role player in the NBA, however, after often operating as a one-man show at Northern Colorado and Tennessee. Long-term, Knecht’s handle and finishing ability should allow him to be much more than a spot-up 3-point shooter. He’s able to consistently work his way into the lane, absorb contact and maintain plus touch around the rim with both hands. The question is whether he’ll be given the license to do so early in his career.
— Profile by RotoWire