The Charlotte Hornets may have found their franchise cornerstone in Kon Knueppel. Taken fourth overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, the rookie has wasted no time showing why he belongs-not just in the league, but among its elite shooters. With a smooth stroke, unshakable confidence, and a knack for scoring at all three levels, Knueppel is quickly emerging as one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in the game.
Through the first half of his rookie season, Knueppel has vaulted himself into the heart of the Rookie of the Year conversation. And standing right next to him in that race?
Cooper Flagg, his former Duke teammate and current Dallas Mavericks standout. The two shared a locker room in college, but now they’re competing on the biggest stage, each trying to stake their claim as the best of a loaded 2025 draft class.
And make no mistake-this class is deep. With names like Knueppel, Flagg, and VJ Edgecombe already making waves, the future of the league looks bright. But while the class as a whole is showing promise, the headlining battle right now is between Knueppel and Flagg.
Their games couldn’t be more different. Flagg is the kind of two-way force coaches dream about-long, athletic, and disruptive on defense, with a steadily improving offensive game.
Knueppel, meanwhile, is a pure scorer. He’s the guy you don’t want to leave open under any circumstance.
Whether it’s off the catch, pulling up off the dribble, or navigating screens, Knueppel’s shot-making ability is already drawing attention from around the league.
What makes this Rookie of the Year race even more compelling is the history between the two. Former roommates at Duke, Knueppel and Flagg know each other’s games inside and out. That familiarity adds a layer of intrigue every time they share the court-not just for fans, but for the players themselves.
Ahead of their first NBA matchup, Knueppel didn’t shy away from the moment.
“It’ll be fun to compete against him,” Knueppel said. “Obviously, he’s a great player.
And so I think it’s fun to compete against the best players, and that’s who he is. So it should be a good challenge for us tonight.”
It’s clear there’s mutual respect between the two, but don’t let the friendly tone fool you-both are gunning for that Rookie of the Year hardware. And given the way they’ve started their careers, this could be just the first chapter in a long-running rivalry.
For the Hornets, Knueppel’s rapid rise is more than just a pleasant surprise-it’s a sign that the rebuild may finally be turning a corner. And for fans of the game, the budding rivalry between Knueppel and Flagg is must-watch basketball.