Duke basketball commit Kager Knueppel is headed to one of the sport’s most recognizable stages.
On Sunday, SLAM HS Hoops announced that the Wisconsin Lutheran High School star will take part in SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 8 at New York City’s Rucker Park on Monday, August 17. Knueppel, who remains Duke’s lone 2027 commit after making his pledge in late June, will be part of an outdoor showcase that features some of the country’s top prep talent.
Rucker Park has already produced a signature SLAM Summer Classic moment for a future Blue Devil. Three years ago, Cooper Flagg buried a buzzer-beating three there in SLAM Summer Classic Vol. 5 action, a shot that helped cement his place in the event’s lore.
Knueppel arrives with plenty of buzz of his own. He has climbed to five-star status and now sits at No. 22 overall in the 247Sports 2027 Composite.
The 6-foot-10, 225-pound power forward helped Wisconsin Lutheran win its third straight state title last season, then backed that up with a strong summer for Team Herro in Nike EYBL play. He averaged 13.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.3 blocks while shooting 47.4 percent from three on 6.1 attempts per game.
The Knueppel name already carries plenty of weight around Duke circles. Kager is the younger brother of Kon Knueppel, Flagg’s former Duke teammate and the runner-up for 2025-26 NBA Rookie of the Year in Charlotte. The family tree also includes three more brothers at Wisconsin Lutheran: rising junior Kinston Knueppel, rising sophomore Kash Knueppel and rising freshman Kid Knueppel.
Knueppel is one of several notable players slated for the boys’ showcase. SLAM HS Hoops has also announced appearances by Calvary Christian Academy point guard Cayden Daughtry, Southeastern Prep Academy power forward CJ Rosser, Montverde Academy small forward Isaiah Hamilton, Houston Second Baptist point guard Reese Alston, Southeastern Prep point guard Beckham Black and Coatesville Area High School small forward Colton Hiller.
Two of those invitees are also on Duke’s radar. Black and Hiller both hold Blue Devil offers, and Duke remains in the mix for each.
Black, a 6-foot-3, 180-pound five-star rising senior, is ranked No. 2 overall and No. 1 among point guards in the 247Sports 2027 Composite. Hiller, a 6-foot-6, 210-pound five-star rising junior, moved to No. 1 overall and No. 1 among small forwards in the 247Sports 2028 Composite after AJ Williams of Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy reclassified from 2028 to 2027 and now ranks No. 4 overall.
Duke’s other undecided 2027 targets are Milennium High School five-star combo guard Adan Diggs and Prolific Prep five-star center Lewis Uvwo. Outside of Hiller, the only 2028 prospect with a Duke offer is St. Francis High School five-star center Yann Kamagate.
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