The Hornets’ Rookie, Kon Knueppel, has been electric on a nightly basis for the upstart Hornets. He has not only be killing it on the floor, but he has had a winning affect on an entire organization that is shining through in everything they do. Before arriving a Duke, a season ago, very few analysts had Knueppel high on their 2025 Draft Board, but that changed very quickly as he earned a starting role on arguably the most talented team in the nation.
Fast forward a year and a half, and he continues to shatter any and all expectations. After being drafted fourth in the 2025 NBA Draft, Kneuppel was expected to fight for major minutes early for the Hornets, but few expected him to challenge generational talent, Cooper Flagg, for Rookie of the Year. However, as he generally does, he has used a mature approach to attack the NBA like a 10 year NBA vet. He uses angles, slips screen, pulls jerseys, plays physical to get open on the perimeter, and he plays off 2 feet, taking what the defense gives him, when he drives to the rim. While talking with Bill Simmons, he credits this old man style of play to playing in his Dad’s Men’s League games growing up and also challenging himself against bigger, stronger, and older competition.
As impressive as he has been on the court, he has been equally impressive off the court. When interviewed, he often gives answers like the leader of a program, and always speaks with a level of wisdom that we have rarely seen from a player this young. Whether he wins Rookie of the Year, or not, we can be certain that he has proven that he will be an ELITE player in NBA for years to come.
Some of the best sound bites from Kon Knueppel so far this season:
