Knecht's Knoxville Community Camp
Dalton Knecht Hosts Sold-Out Youth Basketball Camp in Knoxville, Giving Back to City
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NBA guard Dalton Knecht returned to Knoxville on June 13 with one clear message: forget the Lakers. Knoxville News Sentinel reported that Knecht's first youth basketball camp sold out in under 48 hours, drawing 150 campers to a local gymnasium for a day built entirely around his Tennessee roots — not his professional career.
When reporters tried to steer the conversation toward Los Angeles, Knecht shut it down. "It's not about the Lakers today," he said, according to Knoxville News Sentinel. "It's about Knoxville and these kids. This city took me in when I was just a transfer looking for a home."
One Season in Knoxville Built a Lifetime Bond
Knecht arrived at Tennessee in April 2023 as a transfer from Northern Colorado. Most fans had no idea who he was. One year later, he was the SEC Player of the Year, a consensus First-Team All-American, and averaging 21.7 points per game — the highest scoring average of the Rick Barnes era, according to The Tennessean.
He was also Tennessee's first consensus First-Team All-American since 2019. The Lakers then picked him 17th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. But Knecht, who grew up in Thornton, Colorado, says Knoxville is home. The camp was his way of proving it.
150 Kids, Sold-Out Camp, Zero Lakers Talk
The June 13 camp was built around two things: hard work and attitude. Knecht led drills himself, acting as a hands-on instructor rather than a celebrity guest. All 150 spots filled within 48 hours of the announcement, according to Oak Ridger.
Campers aged 7 to 16 worked through what attendees called the "Knecht 4" shooting drills. Knecht kept the focus on fun and fundamentals. During a brief media session, he spent exactly zero minutes discussing the Lakers' upcoming season, according to Jackson Sun.
Why Keeping It 'All Tennessee' Is a Smart Move
Analysts say Knecht's refusal to talk NBA was no accident. By keeping the camp focused on Tennessee, he protects a powerful personal brand in one of college basketball's most loyal fan bases. The Leaf Chronicle noted that "Vol Twitter" responded with overwhelming praise, calling Knecht someone who "knows his audience."
For the Lakers, the move also signals maturity. Knecht avoided any off-season controversy and stayed focused. For Tennessee fans, it signals something simpler: he hasn't forgotten where his career really took off.
Knecht Plans to Make the Camp an Annual Tradition
The sellout success of the June 13 event points toward a permanent fixture on the Knoxville summer calendar, according to Knoxville News Sentinel. Families traveled from across East Tennessee to attend, giving a small economic boost to local hotels and facilities.
Knecht has indicated the camp will return each year. For Rick Barnes and the Tennessee program, that has a side benefit: it shows recruits and potential transfers that one season in Knoxville can build a connection that lasts well beyond draft night.
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