Hornets give wings: Kon Knueppel from Duke delights the fans!

Hornets give wings: Kon Knueppel from Duke delights the fans!

On June 26, 2025, the Charlotte Hornets selected Kon Knueppel with the fourth pick in the NBA Draft. The 19-year-old winger, who hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, stands 6 feet 7 inches tall and weighs 217 pounds. His impressive career began in high school, where he earned the title of “Wisconsin Mr. Basketball.” Previous honorees include NBA players such as Wes Matthews and Sam Hauser. Knueppels Terminale was supported by his basketball family: his father played at Wisconsin Lutheran College, while his mother and his uncle, Jeff Nordgaard, who later played for the Milwaukee Bucks, played at Wisconsin-Green Bay. SI.com reports that Knueppel came to Duke as a five-star recruit and averaged 14.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.7 assists in his lone season with the Blue Devils.

During his time at Duke University, he not only impressed with a hit rate of 47.9% from the field and 40.6% on three-point throws, but was also able to demonstrate his skills in important games. For example, in the ACC Tournament finals, he scored 18 points and grabbed 8 rebounds and was named tournament MVP. This makes him one of the standout talents in the draft. Previous years had already produced eight Blue Devils in the top 5 of the draft in the last ten years, which underlines the high quality of the program.

Talents and skills

Knueppel rose up the rankings late in the draft process after excelling at the Combine sessions and in strong workouts. According to Bleacher Report, he is considered NBA-ready and is viewed as a versatile winger who utilizes space on the court and is strong defensively. This makes him particularly valuable for the Hornets, who can form a powerful starting lineup with him, LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller.

Knueppel's game is characterized by a smooth rhythm and high basketball IQ. He has a reliable shot from distance and can defend smaller wingers in the post. In his first year, he received several honors, including Second Team All-ACC and was named to the ACC All-Freshman Team. He showed his prowess in the ACC Tournament, averaging 21 points per game.

Prospects and future

Although Knueppel is not considered a future All-Star, he has the potential to have a long career as a reliable two-way player. With the selection of Knueppel, the Hornets have made it clear that they are banking on a promising future. After the draft, Knueppel said: “I am ready to work hard and contribute to winning immediately.” This shows his ambitious character and high motivation to support the team. The Hornets hope that Knueppel can quickly become a key player in their squad.