Northern Colorado Transfer Dalton Knecht Commits to Tennessee

Kentucky has reached out to Knecht upon his entry into the portal.

Kentucky basketball may have a lead in the recruitment of Michigan transfer Hunter Dickinson, but it's still yet lock down a player out of the portal. 

There have only been a few names linked to the Wildcats since the portal opened this offseason. Another went off the board on Friday, as former Northern Colorado shooting guard Dalton Knecht announced his commitment to Tennessee:

#Committed 🧡 pic.twitter.com/ANdwNzijOo

— Dalton Knecht (@DaltonKnecht3) April 22, 2023

Knecht chose the Volunteers over Oregon and is the third player to head to Knoxville via the portal, joining guard Jordan Gainey (USC Upstate) and forward Chris Ledlum (Harvard). On March 31, it was reported that Knecht has been reached out to by Kentucky, as well as a host of other schools. 

Knecht played his first two seasons of college ball at Northeastern Junior College in Colorado before transferring to UNC. In his first season with the Bears, Knecht started in 11 of 35 games, averaging 24.1 minutes. He managed 8.9 points and 3.6 rebounds-per-game, shooting 43.6 percent from the floor and 36.1 percent from 3-point range.

He then became a permanent starter this season, manning his spot in the starting five for all 32 of UNC's games. Averaging over 35 minutes a night, Knecht led his team averaging 20.2 points (23rd in the nation), 7.8 boards and 1.8 assists. His shooting percentages went up to 47.9 percent from the floor and 38.1 percent from behind the arc.

Knecht had 18 games with 20 or more points this season, including a 34-point performance in a win over Idaho on Jan. 21. He managed a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double in a loss to Baylor early in the season, one of five double-doubles he had all year. He was selected to the All-Big Sky Second Team. 

Along with Knecht, Ledlum was another player that originally garnered interest from Kentucky when he originally entered the transfer portal. Now, they'll both play against the Wildcats in the 2023-24 season.

More on the soon-to-be Wildcats HERE.

Inside Kentucky basketball's somber locker room after NCAA Tourney defeat HERE.

More on the potential roster overhaul in Lexington HERE.

More on the loss to Kansas State HERE.

Want the latest on national football and basketball recruiting, including Cats targets? Head over to SI All-American for the latest news, blogs, and updates about the nation's best prospects.

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