Only a single basketball player from Tennessee invited to the NBA Draft Combine.
Dalton Knecht stands as the sole Tennessee basketball player receiving an invitation to this month’s NBA Draft Combine. Out of the 78 players invited by the NBA, encompassing both college and international spheres, neither Tennessee’s Josiah-Jordan James nor Santiago Vescovi secured an invite.
Currently, the Vols don’t have any active players exploring NBA prospects, although outgoing transfer Jonas Aidoo, despite committing to Arkansas basketball recently, didn’t secure a Combine invitation and is expected to withdraw from the draft.
Knecht showcased impressive stats, averaging 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per game. Particularly noteworthy were his performances in SEC play, where he averaged 25.5 points per game, shooting 48% from the field and 42% from beyond the arc.
Standing at 6-foot-6, Knecht earned numerous accolades for his stellar season, including SEC Player of the Year, the Julius Erving Award, and being named a consensus First Team All-American, as well as being a finalist for both the Naismith National Player of the Year and Wooden Award.
James, a stalwart five-year starter for Tennessee, played a pivotal role in the Vols’ success, notably during their SEC Championship and Elite Eight run this season. The 6-foot-6 wing averaged 8.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game during his super senior year, delivering clutch performances in crucial games towards the end of the season.
Meanwhile, Vescovi had a disappointing super senior season, averaging only 6.3 points and 3.7 rebounds per game. Despite this, the left-handed shooting guard earned First Team All-SEC honors in both his junior and senior seasons, with solid shooting percentages from beyond the arc.
NBA Mock Drafts project Knecht as a potential fringe lottery pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, whereas neither James nor Vescovi are currently projected to be selected in the draft.
