Kon Knueppel Is Quietly Having a Historic Rookie Season-and It’s Time We Talk About It
When the Charlotte Hornets called Kon Knueppel’s name with the fourth overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, there were more raised eyebrows than standing ovations. The scouting report?
Great shooter, maybe limited upside. But two months into his rookie campaign, Knueppel has turned that narrative on its head-and then some.
Let’s start with the numbers, because they’re not just good-they’re rare. Knueppel leads all rookies in scoring, ranks sixth in rebounds, and eighth in assists.
He’s already hit more threes than the next group of rookies combined, and he’s third in the entire league in made threes. That’s not just a hot start-that’s elite-level production.
And he’s doing it with remarkable efficiency. Knueppel is knocking on the door of a 50/40/90 season, the gold standard for shooting efficiency.
He’s already cleared 40% from deep and 90% from the free throw line. If he nudges his overall field goal percentage up just a couple ticks, he’ll join one of the most exclusive clubs in basketball.
Now, let’s zoom out. There’s only been one rookie in NBA history to average at least 19 points per game while shooting 45% from the field and 40% from three over a full season.
That was a guy named Larry Bird back in 1980. And while it’s always risky to throw around comparisons to legends, Knueppel’s early season production has drawn some statistical parallels to Luka Dončić’s rookie year as well.
But this isn’t just about shooting. Knueppel’s all-around game is what’s really turning heads.
There’s a short list of rookies who have averaged at least 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. That list includes names like LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Grant Hill, and yes, Larry Bird.
Add Knueppel to that mix. That’s not just good company-that’s Hall of Fame company.
And yet, somehow, he’s flying under the radar.
The Hornets haven’t been winning many games, and they rarely find themselves in the national spotlight. But don’t confuse team struggles with empty stats.
Knueppel isn’t padding numbers in garbage time-he’s actively making the Hornets better when he’s on the floor. His feel for the game is well beyond his years.
He plays with poise, rarely forces the issue, and consistently makes the right reads. Whether it’s a skip pass to the corner, a quick relocation for an open three, or cutting off a drive with perfect positioning, Knueppel is always in the right place at the right time.
Defensively, he’s been a pleasant surprise. He’s not racking up blocks and steals, but he’s playing smart, disciplined positional defense.
He takes away angles, slides his feet, and stays engaged off the ball. He’s not just surviving on defense-he’s thriving.
That’s a big reason why Charlotte’s net rating improves when he’s on the court. He’s impacting the game on both ends, and that’s not something you can say about most rookies.
Right now, Cooper Flagg is getting most of the Rookie of the Year buzz-and for good reason. He’s doing things we haven’t seen since a young LeBron, and that kind of trajectory is going to dominate headlines. But while Flagg is drawing the spotlight, Knueppel is quietly putting together a season that stacks up with some of the greatest rookie campaigns we’ve ever seen.
If the award is truly about performance, not pedigree, then Knueppel deserves to be at the center of the conversation. He’s been the most consistent, efficient, and impactful rookie in the league so far. And he’s only getting better.
It might be time to stop talking about Knueppel’s “ceiling” and start appreciating what he’s already doing. Because if this is the floor, the rest of the league better take notice.