Lakers sign rookies Dalton Knecht and Bronny James – NBA Blog – NBA Basketball Blog

The Los Angeles Lakers recently signed 2024 draft selections Dalton Knecht and Bronny James.

Selected with the 17th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Knecht (6’5”, 212) averaged 21.7 points (45.8 FG%, 39.7 3P%, 77.2 FT%), 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists in 36 games (all starts) last season at the University of Tennessee. The 2023-24 SEC Player of the Year earned First Team All-America honors and ranked third in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage last season. In 103 career Division I games (79 starts) across one campaign at Tennessee and two seasons at Northern Colorado (2021-23), the guard averaged 16.9 points (46.1 FG%, 38.3 3P%, 76.8 FT%), 5.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

James (6’2”, 210), drafted by the Lakers with the 55th overall pick, averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 25 games (six starts) in his lone season at the University of Southern California in 2023-24. Born in Akron, Ohio, the guard attended Sierra Canyon School in Los Angeles where he was named a McDonald’s All-American following his senior season where he averaged 13.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.8 steals.

Knecht will wear jersey No. 4 for the Lakers, while James will wear No. 9. Both will be in action for the Purple and Gold’s summer league team later this month.