Tennessee star Dalton Knecht posted a farewell message to Tennessee basketball and the Vol Nations on both Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) on Friday afternoon.
“Thank you, Rocky Top,” Knecht wrote on Instagram. “You're always home.”
Knecht's posts include photos from the NCAA Tournament with Rick Barnes at Food City Center's Thompson-Boling Arena, Market Square Madness, the Vols' victory at Rupp Arena, and his legendary performance at North Carolina. Photos of the 37-point performance were included.
The photos he posted to X weren't the same ones, but they also included photos of him talking to Barnes and interacting with Tennessee fans.
Knecht played just one season in Knoxville after transferring from Northern Colorado to Tennessee during his super senior season. He left his mark with one of the best seasons in Tennessee basketball history.
The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 21.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game. He was even better in the SEC, averaging 25.5 points per game on 48 percent from the field and 42 percent from 3-point range.
More from RTI: Top 10 moments from Dalton Knecht's loan season at Tennessee
Knecht was a very explosive scorer who could take over a game at any time. He scored 40 points once, 35 points or more six times, 30 points or more seven times, and 25 points or more 13 times in his only season at Tennessee.
With Knecht leading the way, Tennessee had one of the best seasons in program history. The Vols won the SEC regular season championship outright for the first time since 2008 and advanced to the Elite Eight for the second time in program history.
In four NCAA Tournament games, Knecht scored 104 points (26 PPG) on 35-of-85 shooting (41%) from the field and 14-of-35 (40%) from 3-point range. He also grabbed his 26 rebounds (6.5 RPG) throughout the tournament.
Knecht earned numerous accolades during his dominant season. He was the SEC Player of the Year, a Julius Erving Award winner, a consensus first-team All-American, and a finalist for both the Naismith National Player of the Year and the Wood Award.
Knecht played just one season at Tennessee, but he won't be forgotten anytime soon. No Knecht or the Tennessee fans he charmed all winter.