The Charlotte Hornets are seeing the payoff of drafting Kon Kneuppel with the No. 4 pick, as the 20-year-old has entered the Rookie of the Year conversation alongside Cooper Flagg. This success reflects a strategic shift within the organization, particularly since Patrick Harrel took over as Vice President of Basketball Insights & Analysis in 2024. His leadership has ushered in the use of Artificial Intelligence in the team’s scouting processes.
Initially, the Hornets had their sights on Reed Sheppard in the 2024 draft but pivoted to Knueppel a year later. This decision was influenced by an “AI draft strategy” from a company called Invisible Technologies, which played a significant role in their choice.
Patrick Harrel noted the immediate impact, stating, “Within weeks, Invisible provided us with an AI draft strategy that gifted us Kon Knueppel, the #4 overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2025 NBA draft.”
Knueppel quickly validated this decision during the Summer League, scoring 21 points in the championship game and earning Final MVP honors, leading Charlotte to its first Summer League title with a win over the Sacramento Kings. His rookie season continues to impress.
Averaging 19.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, Knueppel is shooting an efficient 48.7% from the field, 43.5% from beyond the arc, and 89.1% from the free-throw line. He leads the NBA with 198 made three-pointers and has emerged as a strong contender against Flagg for the Rookie of the Year award, with many suggesting he should be the favorite.
Fans are hopeful for a postseason appearance, as the Hornets currently sit 10th in the East with a 27-31 record. This marks a significant improvement from their 19-63 finish last season, even if securing a playoff spot remains a challenge.