Dalton Knecht, the Los Angeles Lakers’ first-round draft pick last month, has been considered a steal and possibly the most NBA-ready player in this upcoming season’s rookie class. He was a sharpshooter deluxe at the University of Tennessee, and he also showed some ability to attack off the dribble and contribute in other areas.
He got off to a slow start in summer league play this month. But on Friday, he started to display the skills that had Lakers fans excited when the team was able to take him with the No. 17 pick. He scored a game-high 25 points on 9-of-18 overall shooting and 5-of-11 from 3-point range.
The wing says that he doesn’t lose confidence in his shooting ability and that he knows he has the support he needs.
Via Los Angeles Times:
“I always stay confident in my shot and I know my teammates got my back. So does the coaching staff,” he said. “So no matter what, I’m just going to let it fly.”
It is important for shooters to maintain their confidence in their shot, even when they’re struggling. This quality should help Knecht go far as an NBA player.