The Charlotte Hornets may not be turning heads in the standings just yet, but there’s a bright spot in Buzz City - and his name is Kon Knueppel. The rookie sharpshooter is quietly putting together a historic first season, and if you haven’t been paying attention, it’s time to start.
Knueppel, the No. 4 overall pick, has wasted no time establishing himself as one of the league’s elite perimeter threats. Through his first 40 NBA games, he’s already made 137 three-pointers - the most ever by a player in that span.
That’s not just impressive, it’s record-breaking. And to put it in perspective, the next closest on that list is Lauri Markkanen with 98.
Luka Doncic had 96. Damian Lillard?
- Even Steph Curry - the gold standard for long-range shooting - had just 61 triples in his first 40 games.
What makes Knueppel’s start even more remarkable is the combination of volume and efficiency. He’s averaging 8.0 three-point attempts per game and knocking them down at a 42.8% clip.
That’s elite territory, especially for a rookie still adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NBA. Most young players take time to find their rhythm from deep, but Knueppel has stepped in and started firing with the confidence of a seasoned vet.
If he keeps up this pace - currently averaging 3.4 made threes per game - he’s on track to break the rookie record for most threes in a season in just 21 more games. And given his durability so far (he’s played 40 of the Hornets’ first 41 games), there’s every reason to believe he’ll get there.
Should he maintain that rate and play a full second half, he’d finish the season with around 272 made threes. That wouldn’t just be a rookie record - it would place him among the top 25 single-season three-point performances in NBA history.
We’re talking about a list that includes names like Curry, Harden, Klay, Dame, PG13, and Buddy Hield. That’s elite company for any player, let alone a rookie.
Knueppel’s emergence gives Charlotte something real to build around. He’s not just hitting open shots - he’s bending defenses, spacing the floor, and giving the Hornets a weapon that demands constant attention. It’s the kind of skill set that modern offenses are built around, and it’s coming from a 19-year-old who’s just getting started.
The Hornets still have work to do to climb the Eastern Conference ladder, but Knueppel is already giving them a foundation. He’s not just making threes - he’s making history. And if he keeps this up, he won’t just be in the Rookie of the Year conversation - he’ll be reshaping what we expect from first-year players in today’s NBA.