Lakers Rookie Dalton Knecht Chose Jersey Number Based Off His Nickname

Jun 26, 2024; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Dalton Knecht arrives for the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. / Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers forward Dalton Knecht wore No. 5 in his two years with Northern Colorado from 2021 to ’23. In his breakout season with Tennessee in 2024, he donned No. 3.

As he begins the first chapter of his professional career with the Lakers, Knecht using his nickname to split the difference. The reigning SEC Player of the Year described his numerical logic to reporters when Los Angeles introduced him Tuesday.

“I knew eventually I probably would have to run into No. 4,” Knecht said. “Three’s been my number my whole life—but 3, (forward Anthony Davis) got it, so why not do ‘Knecht Four?’ Why not?”

“3, AD’s got it, so why not do Knecht 4?”

No. 17 pick Dalton Knecht on pairing his number with his nickname 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/GQqkucGqaX

— NBA (@NBA) July 2, 2024The pronunciation of Knecht’s name makes his nickname a pun on Connect Four, the classic Milton Bradley game.

Knecht, who the Lakers drafted alongside guard Bronny James, will be the 15th Los Angeles player to wear No. 4—a number most closely associated in Tinseltown with longtime guard Byron Scott.

Published 13 Hours Ago

PATRICK ANDRES

Patrick Andres has been a Staff Writer on the Breaking & Trending News Team at Sports Illustrated since 2022. Before SI, his work appeared in The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword, and Diamond Digest. Patrick has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University.