SCHOOL'S OUT
‘My favorite player in college basketball besides Bronny’ claims LeBron James as he praises team’s other NBA Draft pick
Dalton Knecht and Bronny James have both struggled in the summer league
LOS Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James says new teammate Dalton Knecht was his favorite college player after his son Bronny.
The former Tennessee star, 23, was selected by the Lakers as the No. 17 pick in the NBA Draft.
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They then picked Bronny, 19, No. 55 overall to partner him with his dad in an NBA first.
Both made their debuts Saturday against the Sacramento Kings but Bronny was forced to sit out yesterday with a reported knee issue.
"Throughout the course of the college season, Dalton — besides, Bronny — was my favorite player in college basketball," LeBron, 39, said.
"I watched his game throughout the whole season, I liked his ability to shoot the ball, his athleticism, his height, his demeanor that he plays with.
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"I've always felt that his game will translate to the NBA. I did not think he would fall to No. 17 — at all — so I didn't even think we'd have an opportunity to get him but I'm glad we did."
Knecht earned SEC Player of the Year and Consensus first-team All-American honors last season.
He averaged 21.7 points on 45.7 percent shooting and 4.9 rebounds per game.
The Vols lost to runner-up Purdue in the Elite Eight.
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In April, Lebron revealed that he watched that game because of Knecht and Zach Edey, who was drafted ninth overall by the Memphis Grizzlies.
Knecht managed three from 13 on the floor on another tough night for the Lakers in a 92-68 defeat to the Golden State Warriors Sunday.
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"Just being patient with it," Lakers summer league coach Dane Johnson said about Knecht's struggles.
"It's a long summer league. It's going to come. He's a great player, so I'm not worried about him missing some of the shots he's taking.
"He's a great shooter. Let the game come to him. There are some [flashes] where you see that he's got it."
Knecht doesn't seem overly concerned at this point.
"I haven't played since March," he said.
"Just finding my rhythm again and keep playing with these new guys and keep adjusting.
"Shooters shoot. My dad always told me the next shot is going in. Shooters shoot."
Bronny is expected to play against the Miami Heat on Wednesday.
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"The hope is [and] the plan is for him to play the next game here. But that's all the information we have so far," Johnson said.
LeBron is in Las Vegas as Team USA prepares for the Paris Olympics.