Kon Knueppel’s Winning DNA Is Already Making an Impact in Charlotte
Kon Knueppel isn’t just playing basketball in Charlotte - he’s changing the tone of the franchise. The 20-year-old rookie, who came into the league with a résumé stacked with accolades and a reputation for winning, is already showing signs that he could be a foundational piece for the Hornets moving forward.
Knueppel’s path to the NBA has been defined by one thing: winning. From high school to college, the guy just hasn’t stopped stacking W’s.
Back in 2023-24, he led Wisconsin Lutheran to a perfect 30-0 season, capturing the state championship while racking up Gatorade Wisconsin Player of the Year and Mr. Basketball honors along the way.
Off the court, he was just as locked in - carrying a 3.93 GPA and taking leadership roles in both the Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy and Student Council.
That all-around excellence made him a no-brainer for Duke head coach Jon Scheyer, who brought him to Durham for what was always likely to be a one-and-done season. And Knueppel made the most of it. He earned All-Region, All-ACC, All-ACC Tournament, and All-Freshman honors, and was named ACC Tournament MVP while helping the Blue Devils win the conference and punch their ticket to the Final Four.
Now, in Charlotte, he’s bringing that same energy to a franchise that’s been searching for direction. The Hornets have been in rebuild mode for what feels like forever, but Knueppel’s presence is starting to give fans something to believe in.
“He truly has just a winning spirit to him,” said head coach Charles Lee. “A winning mindset. Anything that he can do to help impact the game.”
Knueppel doesn’t fit the mold of the high-flying, highlight-reel rookie. He’s not going to posterize anyone or blow by defenders with elite speed.
But what he does have is a feel for the game that’s well beyond his years. He sees the floor like a veteran, makes smart decisions, and can knock down shots from just about anywhere.
That high basketball IQ has made him a seamless fit alongside Hornets cornerstones LaMelo Ball and Brandon Miller. Whether it’s spacing the floor, making the right read in the pick-and-roll, or simply being ready to catch and shoot, Knueppel has found ways to complement Charlotte’s stars without needing to dominate the ball.
“When Melo and Brandon are out there, it's good to have him as your second-side guy,” Lee said. “He’s a great threat to either catch-and-shoot or create if the first action doesn’t work. His ability to screen in different ways and handle the ball in pick-and-roll gives us another option to play through when one of those guys is off the floor.”
That versatility is something we didn’t see much of during his lone year at Duke. He averaged just 2.7 assists per game, with a couple of eight-assist outings sprinkled in. But now that he’s surrounded by NBA talent, he’s starting to show more of his playmaking chops.
Take last week’s game against the Bulls, for example. Not only did Knueppel drop a career-high 33 points, but he also dished out a career-best nine assists while hitting five threes on 12 attempts. That’s the kind of all-around performance that turns heads - and not just among fans.
“He's just got great activity and instincts,” Lee said. “He wants to be all over the place. He understands the importance of trying to disrupt the other team any way he possibly can.”
That motor, that mindset - it’s what makes Knueppel different. He’s not trying to be flashy; he’s just trying to win. And that’s exactly the kind of player Charlotte needs as it tries to climb out of the basement of the Eastern Conference.
There’s already talk within the organization that Knueppel could be the face of the franchise. Sure, it might feel early to crown a 20-year-old with just 28 NBA games under his belt, but the signs are there. He’s producing, he’s elevating those around him, and he’s not shying away from the moment.
Knueppel doesn’t need the spotlight to shine - he just needs the ball, a plan, and a chance to compete. And if his track record is any indication, the wins will follow.